Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Launches LED Streetlight Pilot Project
The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has started a pilot project to replace conventional streetlights with LED lighting in specific areas of the twin cities. This initiative marks a significant step toward modernizing urban infrastructure and promoting energy efficiency.
Diverse Locations Selected for Initial Phase
Under the initial phase, HDMC has chosen a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial localities, and major road stretches for the installation of LED streetlights. The selection of diverse locations aims to evaluate the performance of LED lighting under varying conditions.
Officials want to assess how the lights perform in areas with different traffic volumes, pedestrian movements, road widths, and ambient lighting from nearby establishments. This comprehensive approach ensures that the evaluation covers a wide range of real-world scenarios.
Installation Details and Wattage Variations
Sources indicate that nearly 1,000 LED streetlights have been installed as part of this demonstration project. The installations include fixtures of different wattages to help officials assess illumination levels and suitability for various types of roads.
- Lower wattage lights (25W, 35W): Installed in residential lanes and internal roads where softer lighting is sufficient.
- Higher wattage fixtures (60W, 90W, 120W): Being tested on wider roads, busy junctions, and commercial corridors that require brighter illumination.
By deploying multiple wattage options in real-world conditions, HDMC aims to study several critical factors. These include brightness, coverage, glare control, and consistency of illumination during night hours.
Monitoring and Evaluation Process
The pilot project will also provide valuable insights into maintenance needs, durability, and performance in areas affected by fluctuating power supply. Feedback from residents, shopkeepers, and commuters is expected to be collected to judge comfort and effectiveness.
Superintending engineer R Vijay Kumar stated that the performance of LED streetlights with different wattages would be monitored for one month. "Based on the findings, necessary changes would be made before implementing the project across Hubballi-Dharwad," he explained.
Project Background and Future Plans
Mayor Jyoti Patil mentioned that the council plans to approach the government regarding delays by the contractor in executing the LED streetlight conversion. This comes even after the PPP-based project was awarded. She added that the project gained momentum only after the contractor fulfilled all requirements, leading to the current demonstration to assess feasibility.
The demo-based approach is intended to help the civic body take informed decisions before rolling out LED streetlights across the entire municipal area. If the results prove satisfactory, the project may be expanded in phases. This expansion could potentially improve night-time visibility while significantly reducing power consumption and operational costs for the municipality.
This pilot project represents a proactive move by HDMC to enhance urban lighting infrastructure. It focuses on both energy savings and improved public safety through better illumination.
