MUKHYAMANTRI STREETLIGHT YOJANA
- Introduction : Delhi’s Street Light Situation
Delhi is a bustling metropolis and the capital city of India, with a population of over 20 million people. With such a high population density and traffic volume, the city’s streetlights play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of its citizens.
The Delhi streetlight situation has undergone significant improvements in recent years, with the government investing in modernization and maintenance of the existing infrastructure. However, the city still faces a few challenges when it comes to street lighting, which are discussed below.
Infrastructure and Maintenance:
Delhi’s streetlight infrastructure consists of around 2 lakh (200,000) streetlights spread across the city. The responsibility for their maintenance falls under multiple authorities, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Cantonment Board, and the Delhi Development Authority.
Over the years, due to a lack of proper maintenance and investment, many streetlights have become dysfunctional, leading to poorly lit streets and increased risks to public safety. However, the government has taken several steps to address these issues, such as the installation of energy-efficient LED lights that have reduced power consumption and lowered maintenance costs. Additionally, a centralized monitoring system has been implemented to track and address faulty lights, making it easier for officials to identify and fix issues.
Crime and Security:
The Delhi Police have identified street lighting as an essential factor in maintaining public safety and reducing crime rates. Adequate lighting is critical for deterring criminal activity and allowing the police to identify suspicious behavior and respond promptly.
However, certain areas of the city are still poorly lit, making them vulnerable to criminal activity. Dark alleys, narrow lanes, and isolated stretches of roads pose a significant threat to women’s safety, with incidents of molestation and sexual assault being reported in poorly lit areas. To address this issue, the government has taken steps to improve the lighting infrastructure in these areas, including the installation of high-mast lights and CCTV cameras to enhance security.
Traffic Management:
Delhi’s traffic management is a challenging task, with the city’s busy roads and intersections requiring adequate lighting to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians. Poorly lit streets can lead to accidents and traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.
The Delhi Traffic Police have identified several critical stretches of roads that require immediate attention, including highways, flyovers, and underpasses. These areas have been equipped with energy-efficient LED lights, high-mast lights, and other modern lighting systems to ensure smooth traffic flow and reduce the risk of accidents.
Environmental Impact:
Traditional street lighting systems consume significant amounts of energy and contribute to high levels of carbon emissions. With the government’s focus on sustainability and environmental conservation, Delhi’s streetlight infrastructure is transitioning towards eco-friendly and energy-efficient lighting systems.
The government has launched several initiatives to encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources, such as solar-powered streetlights. These initiatives have helped reduce the city’s carbon footprint and lower its dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
In conclusion, the streetlight situation in Delhi has undergone significant improvements in recent years, with the government investing in modernization and maintenance of the existing infrastructure. The installation of energy-efficient lighting systems and a centralized monitoring system has led to better lighting quality and improved public safety.
However, the city still faces several challenges, including inadequate lighting in certain areas, which affects public safety and increases the risk of criminal activity. With continued investment and focus on sustainability, Delhi’s streetlight infrastructure is expected to become more eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and safer for its citizens.
- Mukhyamantri Streetlight Yojana
The State’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and security of its residents. Adequate street lighting is an effective way to counter unsafe vehicular and pedestrian traffic, as well as prevent street crimes. In a Women’s Safety Audit of Delhi conducted by NGO Safetipin, street lighting was found to have the greatest impact on people’s perception of safety. The Delhi Government identified 2000 poorly lit areas and initiated a project to illuminate them, but faced challenges due to jurisdictional issues with other civic bodies.
To overcome these challenges, the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi conducted a study of international street infrastructure and design, and developed an innovative model to set up streetlights. Building owners can now volunteer to set up LED streetlights on the edge of their premises, powered by their own electricity connection. The cost of operating these lights will be deducted from the owner’s power bill through an automated arrangement. Automatic LED lights with sensors will be installed, which turn on at night and off at sunrise. Local MLAs and residents can nominate dark spots under the Scheme.
The Delhi government has already installed over 117,000 LED streetlights as of August 2021 and plans to install 2,10,000 streetlights covering all dark spots in the city with continued technical and knowledge support from DDC.
In conclusion, the innovative model developed by the Dialogue and Development Commission of Delhi to set up streetlights is an effective and sustainable solution to ensure adequate lighting and safety on the streets of Delhi. By engaging building owners in the process and using their electricity connection to power LED streetlights, the project overcomes challenges related to obtaining civic body permissions and setting up new electricity poles. With over 117,000 streetlights already installed and plans to install more, the Delhi Government is taking proactive steps towards ensuring the safety and security of its residents
