New Delhi: Darkness on the streets of the national capital is set to become a thing of the past, as the Delhi government has taken a major step towards making night travel safer. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a project to install one lakh smart LED streetlights under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. The initiative, which began at the Andrews Ganj bus stop, aims to eliminate dark spots, strengthen women’s safety, and illuminate Delhi’s roads with modern lighting.
Complaints from Female Students Lead to Action
During an interaction with female students from Delhi University, the Chief Minister was informed about the problems caused by dark roads and faulty streetlights. Following this, the government accelerated its efforts to address the issue. The new system is expected to provide relief to women, students, and other citizens who travel at night.
QR Codes on Every Light, Penalties for Negligence
One of the key features of the project is the real-time monitoring of every smart streetlight through a central control centre. Each light will have a QR code that citizens can scan to access information and register complaints.
Faulty streetlights must be repaired within 48 hours. If repairs are not completed within the stipulated time, the concerned agency will face a penalty of ₹2,000 per light per day. The government aims to keep 99 per cent of the streetlights operational.
Energy Savings and Improved Safety
Around 45,000 old sodium-vapour streetlights will be replaced with energy-efficient LED lights. According to the government, the project is expected to save approximately ₹100 crore in electricity costs over the next five years.
The project also includes provisions for maintaining the prescribed lighting levels and ensuring regular maintenance for seven years.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that illuminating every corner of Delhi through modern technology and accountability remains a priority for the government.
Public Works Department Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said that better lighting would improve visibility on roads and help make nighttime travel safer.
The event was attended by MP Bansuri Swaraj, MLAs Satish Upadhyay, Shikha Rai, Anil Sharma, and Neeraj Basoya, along with other dignitaries.
Reported by:Pankaj Rai
