6 days ago
Bengaluru's south zone tops streetlight load as civic body begins LED overhaul
Bengaluru: The city's South zone has the highest number of streetlights and will be a focus area in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike's ongoing LED streetlight conversion project.
Of the 80,584 streetlights in the zone, 55,703 are still vapour lamps. This makes the zone the largest contributor to streetlight electricity consumption in Bengaluru.
The civic body is working to replace more than 2 lakh vapour lamps with energy-efficient LED lights over the next eight months. Across the city, BBMP manages more than 5.3 lakh streetlights.
In second place is RR Nagar with 79,704 streetlights, including 44,140 vapour lamps, followed by East zone (78,519 streetlights, of which 37,167 use vapour technology).
In Mahadevapura, there are 77,787 streetlights, including 48,666 vapour lamps — the second-highest count of vapour lamps.
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Mahadevapura zone residents have raised concerns about poor lighting in many areas. Shalini Ramesh, a resident of Hoodi, said: "In areas such as Kasavanahalli and Haralur Road, there are long stretches without functioning streetlights. We're forced to use mobile torches at night."
Rajeev Menon from Brookefield said the road near his apartment becomes pitch dark after 8pm.
"It's a daily risk to walk or even drive here," he said.
Nakul Joshi, who lives in Kasavanahalli, added that there has been no lasting solution despite residents raising complaints multiple times.
In West zone, BBMP operates 76,878 streetlights, with 24,369 vapour lamps. Bommanahalli has fewer total streetlights at 48,126, but 32,458 of them are vapour lamps. Dasarahalli has 56,569 streetlights, including 28,139 vapour lamps.
Yelahanka, which has the lowest count at 27,502 streetlights, has 13,779 still using vapour tech.
BBMP officials said 45 newly added layouts and extensions will be included in the LED conversion project. Work has been divided into four packages and tenders have been finalised. Surveys are under way and bulk replacement of lights is expected to begin within two months. The full project is expected to be completed within six months of physical work starting.
Contractors will cover the upfront cost of installation and will be paid monthly by BBMP based on energy savings. BBMP superintendent engineer (electrical) Anand K said: "The size of Bengaluru and its complexity has slowed the process. But we're committed to completing the switch as quickly as possible."
The project is expected to reduce electricity bills, improve street visibility, cut down maintenance, and enhance safety across all zones.
GFX
LET THERE BE LIGHT
Zone
Total streetlights
Vapour lamps
South
80,584
55,703
RR Nagar
79,704
44,140
East
78,519
37,167
Mahadevapura
77,787
48,666
West
76,878
24,369
Bommanahalli
48,126
32,458
Dasarahalli
56,569
28,139
Yelahanka
27,502
13,779
Total
5.3 lakh*
2.2 lakh*
— Source: BBMP | * Figures rounded off
