Vishakapatnam, which is awash with 96,000 new Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs, apparently the highest installed in the world in a short span of time, is likely to be dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, soon.
The Energy Saving Corporation of India (ESCI) that was instrumental in installing these lights, which save nearly 50 per cent of energy costs, wrote to the Prime Minister to inaugurate the facility. The Andhra Pradesh government believes that Mr. Modi is likely to accept the invitation as he is promoting energy saving, particularly usage of LEDs, in the country.
“Even if he cannot make it personally, he might do it through a video conference from Delhi. The idea is to appreciate the effort in restoring Vizag lighting system that suffered hugely when Hudhud hit the coastal city,” said Urban Development Minister P. Narayana.
He said this was biggest replacement anywhere known in the world and the massive exercise can be understood from the fact that only 3,000 to 4,000 bulbs were being replaced across the country every day.
But the Central Government agreed to divert all those to Vizag given the enormity of the damage after the AP Government argued its case. Dr. Narayana said the LED bulbs were installed by the ESCI in association with its contract companies, which will also maintain them for the next seven years. “We have not spent a single penny from the government coffers for this. Electricity bills are likely to be reduced by 50 per cent, which itself is a saving for the government,” he said.
The bills collected will go to ESCI that will share 50 per cent of it with the companies supplying the bulbs and maintaining them. However, the AP government is negotiating with ESCI to share at least 10 per cent of that with it. “They have agreed in principle and the MoU is likely to be signed tomorrow,” he said.
Dr. Narayana said after the Hudhud effect the cost of replacing the damaged lights was estimated at Rs. 40 crore. About 1.50 lakh bulbs were damaged in Vishakapatnam and three other north coastal districts.
