Now, automated streetlights to curb power wastage in Delhi

NEW DELHI: No longer will you find streetlights switched on during day hours in the capital and frown at the thought of the wastage of power, with lamps getting fitted with automated switch-on and switch-off operation.

In a bid to overcome the delay in switching off the streetlights and to minimise the incidence of power theft, private power distribution company BSES has embarked upon an innovative project to automate streetlights.

The Programmable Street Light Controller (PSLC) project is based on sunrise and sunset timings. The microprocessor-controlled system is very sensitive and automatically switches on and off the streetlights based on the day's sunrise and sunset timings.

Initially, the project will run as a pilot and after its assessment, it will be implemented in other parts of BSES licensed areas, according to a discom official.

The discom has successfully completed the first phase of the pilot project by automating around 4,000 streetlights in South Delhi's Vasant Kunj area.

The project will help in conserving over 1.7 million units of electricity every year in that area alone, the official said.

"The project costing Rs 20 lakh has been completed in a record time of less than two months," the official said, adding the next target was automating the streetlights in Hauz Khas.