Imphal partially illuminated
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 12, 2013:
Utilizing an amount of Rs.2 crores from State Development Fund earmarked during the last financial year, the State Government has been able to light up some places in Imphal area but several other places remain in darkness.
According to an official of MAHUD, the State Government has installed Light Emitting Diode (LED) street lamps to conserve power and light up Imphal City in an energy-efficient way.
The work for installing street lamps was taken up by Planning and Development Authority (PDA) with an amount of Rs.2 crores sanctioned from the State Development Fund.
The street lamps have been installed along National Highway No.2 from Nityapat Chuthek to DM College Gate, Nityapat Chuthek to Secretariat and from Wahengbam Leikai to Ram Lal Paul School.
The cost for installing one street lamp is around Rs.25,000 and so far Rs.2 crores has been utilized in fixing the street lamps in Imphal area.
Work for erecting poles and fixing bulbs has been completed and the street lamps at some places would be commissioned within a short time, the official said.
These LED bulbs work on alternating current (AC).
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The work for installing the street lamps is done by Bajaj Company though the implementing agency is PDA.
The bulbs are of high quality and there is no question of getting fused frequently, the official noted.
The source further mentioned that the State Government is considering allocating more funds for installing LED street lamps along NH-2 up to Manipur University Gate and along Tiddim Road from Keishampat to Airport even though Rs.2 crores sanctioned from the State Development Fund is already used up.
The State Government has also started collecting old electric poles from those areas where new LED street lamps have been installed.
The primary objective of replacing the mercury bulbs with LED bulbs is to reduce power consumption from the State's share.
Previously, 10 megawatts of power were used to power up the street lamps, but now all street lamps can be lit up with just about one megawatt, the official stated.
On the other hand, the street lamps in some places of Imphal East are powered by solar energy and they have been installed by MANIREDA.
The Government is further planning to install more of such solar street lamps in the State, the official added.