Pune: After winning the Best Practice Award from Central government for Smart Street Lighting project, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to appoint a third party to conduct an audit of the work done by the company. Under this project 84,000 LED fittings were installed. After completion of one year of this project, the PMC raised a question about the work completed by the company and decided to carry out the audit.
Shriniwas Kandul, Chief Superintendent of Electrical Department told Sakal Times, “During our investigation, it was observed that the corporation paid Rs 16 crore on the company’s claim of saving energy. However, the company has not produced any proof of saving bills in the form of documents. They have also claimed they fitted 84,000 LEDs. They did not provide any details about the same. So, we have decided to appoint Institute of Engineers as third party to make audit of the work.”
Sachin Tandon, an official of the Tata company which is handling the project said, “I have detailed information about 77,000 fittings and we have not claimed 84,000 fittings. We claimed Rs 16 crore. Out of which, we received Rs 12 crore. I don’t know why the corporation is raising questions on fittings.”
About the project
In 2016, the PMC undertook a project to change fittings of sodium vapour street lights to save energy and money spent on electricity consumption.
The tender was awarded to Tata company to change fitting and install LEDs. This is a Private Public Partnership (PPP) initiative.
Best Practices Award
Last month, the PMC received the Best Practices Award to Improve The Living Environment 2017-18 of Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) for Pune Street Lighting project under Private Public Partnership (PPP). This project includes replacement of 77,800 conventional street lights with energy efficient LED lights and existing manual-based feeder panels to SCADA-based energy monitor and control panels.
How the lights will save energy
As per the project proposal, the illumination of LED lights would be controlled as per the vehicle and pedestrian population on the road. Censors will be fitted to the streetlight poles to control the same. When there are fewer road users, the brightness will be reduced and vice-versa. During the early hours of the day, the light will be kept at a lower intensity, as the usage of roads is less compared to evenings and late evenings. This would be controlled from a specialised control room, officials said.
