Delhi Government to replace 96,000 streetlights with smart LED system
New Delhi, May 20
The Delhi Government will replace all streetlights in the national capital with a smart LED system at an estimated cost of around Rs 473 crore, according to the Chief Minister's Office.
The total number of these streetlights stands at around 96,000. The decision was taken by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee held in hybrid mode.
The government aims to improve energy efficiency and ensure better illumination across the national capital.
Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Gupta launched 'Hauslon Ki Udaan', a talent hunt initiative for the youth of Delhi.
The programme aims to give young people a platform to show their talent in different fields. The Delhi government will soon launch a portal where people between the ages of 16 and 35 can register for the programme.
Speaking at the launch, CM Gupta said the initiative will help the government reach talented youth across the city.
"I congratulate our Art and Culture Ministry, the minister, and the entire team for planning a program for Delhi's youth. Delhi is brimming with talent, and the youth need a good platform to showcase their abilities... This initiative has been named 'Hauslon Ki Udaan'... Through this, the government will reach out to the youth in their own fields and provide them an opportunity without any registration fee or expense," she said.
Sharing details about the selection process, Gupta said the youth will be able to upload their videos on the portal. A jury panel will then shortlist the participants.
"The government will launch a portal, and youth aged 16 to 35 years in Delhi will be able to register on it and share their videos, and a jury panel will shortlist them. After that, 35 zones will be created in Delhi, and auditions will be held there... The selected participants will have a state-level program, and awards will also be given... This competition has been designed in 7 different categories such as singing, dance, acting, instrumental music, digital art, sculpture... Youth from any class will be able to participate in this program..." she added.
The initiative will cover seven categories, including singing, dance, acting, instrumental music, digital art and sculpture.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Smart LEDs are a no-brainer. Our colony got them last year and the difference is night and day – literally! But 96,000 lights for Rs 473 crore? That's about Rs 49,000 per light. Can anyone explain the math? Installation and maintenance must be included, otherwise seems steep. Aur haan, 'Hauslon Ki Udaan' – please make sure the jury is diverse and fair, not just some Bollywood insiders.
As a 19-year-old, 'Hauslon Ki Udaan' sounds exciting! Seven categories including digital art and sculpture – that's pretty modern. But I hope the portal is user-friendly and doesn't crash on the first day like some government sites. Also, 16-35 is a wide range – will there be separate age groups? A school kid and a 34-year-old professional shouldn't compete in the same bracket. 🤔
Interesting to see Delhi investing in smart infrastructure. From my experience in the UK, LED streetlights reduced energy costs by 40-60% for cities there. But I hope the 'smart' system includes remote monitoring – otherwise it's just expensive bulbs. The talent hunt is a nice touch, but 7 categories seems limited. What about sports, coding, or traditional arts? Still, a step in the right direction.
I'm cautiously optimistic. The LED replacement is a good move – our streets need better lighting for safety, especially for women. But Rs 473 crore is a huge amount. I hope there's transparency in the tendering process. And 'Hauslon Ki Udaan' – nice initiative but what about the youth who don't have smartphones or internet to upload videos? The digital divide is real in Delhi's slums. Please think about that.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.