By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Government’s plans to install light-emitting diode (LED) and compact fluorescent lights (CFL) lamps in the city have not yielded much impressive results since the Urban Affairs department is finding it tough to identify the locations to install the lights.
Talking to The Shillong Times here, Urban Affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the department is currently in the process of identifying locations for the installation of lights.
It may be mentioned that the State Government has mulled to install 4180 street lights to illuminate the city.
While some newly installed lights are visible in certain parts of the city, yet many parts of the city are yet to have its new LED lights.
“One must understand that it takes time to identify the locations for installing such lights,” she said.
LEDs use small, powerful sources of light that illuminate when electrons move through a semiconductor. They shine in only one direction thereby increasing luminous efficacy or brightness. The Government had plans to implement the major part of the project before Christmas but it could not become a reality as the department is still in the process of identifying locations for the street lights.
Out of the 4180 lights, 1080 will be CFL lamps, while the others will be LED lights to be put up across the city.
The department is also taking into account the advice of the State Police as they are aware of sensitive and vulnerable areas besides taking into consideration the suggestions of different Rangbah Shnong.
The move came from the Urban Affairs as Shillong despite being a capital city creeps into darkness as soon as the sun sets.
The project will be implemented and maintained by the MeECL and the entire installation cost will be shared by the Central Government and the State Urban Affairs department.
Out of the total cost of Rs 90 lakh, Rs 60 lakh will be borne by the Shillong Municipal Board and the MUDA respectively.
