Solar lights to illuminate streets

SHILLONG: The urban areas of the state including Shillong and Tura will soon have solar-powered streetlights as the state government has sanctioned Rs 25 crore for installation of over 300 solar lights under the Green City Project (GCP).
“Rs 25 crore has been sanctioned by the State Government for the project and this new initiative would replace the present street lights in the towns of the state,” said the president of MeSEB Engineer’s Association (MEA) B Khonglah here on Friday.
Under the new initiative, of the proposed 378 solar lights  to be installed in the urban areas 78 would come up in Tura town, Khonglah said while addressing the XIst General Conference of MEA.
According to Khonglah, the department has identified the locations and government institutions and educational institutions in Shillong would be covered under the new project. “Locations for Tura town are yet to be finalized,” he added
Philips Electronic India Ltd will implement the project and an amount of Rs 5 crore has already been paid to the firm as first installment.
He stated that implementing company has been asked to install at least 3 points of solar lights in Shillong initially. “After which its performance would be examined before handing over the entire installation work to it,” he added.