BBMP to accelerate LED streetlight conversion in high-consumption zones

Bengaluru’s South zone has emerged as the city’s largest consumer of streetlight power, with over 55,000 of its 80,584 streetlights still running on traditional vapour lamps. In response, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is prioritising this area in its citywide LED streetlight upgrade, aimed at replacing over 2 lakh outdated lamps with energy-efficient alternatives in the coming eight months.

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The initiative spans all of Bengaluru’s 5.3 lakh streetlights. After the South zone, RR Nagar and East zone follow with 79,704 and 78,519 streetlights respectively. Mahadevapura, though fourth in total count at 77,787, has the second-highest number of vapour lamps at 48,666.

Several areas in Mahadevapura, including Kasavanahalli and Haralur Road, continue to face lighting issues, prompting safety concerns among residents. In contrast, zones like West, Bommanahalli, Dasarahalli, and Yelahanka have lower counts but still report significant numbers of outdated lamps.

BBMP has included 45 newly developed layouts and extensions in the conversion plan. The project has been split into four packages with tenders finalised. Surveys are currently under way, and bulk installation is slated to begin within two months. Once physical work starts, completion is targeted within six months.

Contractors will finance the initial installation, with BBMP compensating them monthly based on verified energy savings. The switch to LED is expected to reduce electricity bills, enhance visibility, lower maintenance needs, and significantly improve safety across all zones.