New Delhi: NDMC has finalised two proposals — the replacement of 5,470 conventional streetlight poles with octagonal poles, and substitution of over 5,500 defective water meters with smart meters.Both proposals will be placed before the NDMC council meeting for approval.
NDMC vice-chairman Kuljeet Chahal said the replacement of the streetlights with energy-efficient warm LED fittings and upgraded cabling will help reduce energy consumption and improve performance. The project will cost Rs 15.8 crore.“The new system will be equipped with an intelligent control mechanism to manage light poles, floodlights and other infrastructure,” Chahal said.The cost includes the construction of RCC foundations for the octagonal poles, transportation and erection of the 6-8 metre poles, laying of 1.1 KV grade PVC cables and the dismantling of existing LED streetlights.“The quality and lifespan of the poles and cables will improve. It will reduce energy consumption, operational costs and maintenance requirements. The newlighting system will also be capable of operating in all weather conditions,” Chahal added.The second proposal pertains to installing smart water meters on consumer connection lines across the NDMC area. The proposal will be placed to seek approval for the award of a Rs 13.24 crore project, as per details submitted by the commercial department.Officials said that although mechanical meters are cheaper and smart meters involve a higher upfront cost, they offer multiple long-term benefits. “The system ensures that consumers are billed on the basis of actual water consumption rather than on an ad hoc basis. While mechanical meters have a life of about five years, smart meters function efficiently for 15-20 years. These meters eliminate the issue of entrapped air and measure only actual water usage,” the proposal said.Chahal added that mechanical meters require manual reading, which involves manpower deployment and is prone to human error. In contrast, smart meters provide automatic readings ensuring accurate billing and efficiency.
