Ludhiana MC bags 'Energy Efficient Solution of the Year award' during National Digital Transformation Conclave and Awards 

udhiana, December 13, 2022: Adding feather to its cap, Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) bagged 'Energy Efficient Solution of the Year award' during the 8th National Digital Transformation Conclave and Awards held in Guwahati (Assam) last week (December 9, 2022). The award has been conferred to Ludhiana Smart City Limited (LSCL) for Implementing Smart LED Street Lights and Centralized Control and Monitoring System under smart city mission.

The national conclave was jointly organized by the department of Information Technology (IT), Government of Assam and GovConnect.

Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu and MC Commissioner Dr Shena Aggarwal stated that the project aims to reduce the energy consumption by replacing the existing luminaries by energy efficient LED luminaries. The scope covers replacement of existing luminaires within MC limits with LED Luminaires including LED lamp, driver and luminaire and installation of Centralized Control and Monitoring System (CCMS) and comprehensive operation and maintenance for 8 years. 

Under the project, taken up at a cost of over Rs 71 crore (including Infrastructure Development Charges (IDC) cost of Rs 13.39 Crore), over 1.5 lakh luminaires have been replaced and 1474 switch points have been installed across the city. In addition to this, maintenance of already installed 3000 LED street lights is being taken up under the project.

The project is being executed on ESCO (Energy Saving Company) model, wherein the concessionaire (contractor) M/s TATA Projects Limited, had invested funds to replace the luminaries and are being subsequently paid from the energy saving attributed to reduction of energy bill to MCL. Under this project, a 24/7 centralized help desk /call centre with IVRS toll free number has also been established, for resolving the complaints within the stipulated time period. The project is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) i.e Affordable and Clean Energy on account of  improvement in energy efficiency.

Due to replacement of existing traditional lighting systems with LED luminaries, MC has achieved an energy saving of 63.25 percent on electricity charges. This has resulted in efficient energy utilization. After the implementation of this project, MC has saved over Rs 5.02 Crore as energy savings till date. Energy saving is further expected to increase in the coming time.

The other benefits of the project include reduction in glare, environment friendly, centralized control and monitoring of lights and CCMS Panels, 24/7 centralized help desk/call center with IVRS and software solution for managing calls, assigning complaints to field technical team and feed back to complainant with photographic evidence after resolution, resolving complaints within set time frame etc.

While applauding the efforts put in by officials of the civic body in completing the project, MC Commissioner, Dr Aggarwal stated that the project aims to promote sustainable development, clean energy and reduce energy consumption, due to which it has been applauded at the national conclave. Further she stated that the civic body is also working to install additional LED street lights under the project, as per the demand raised by the councillors and city residents.