LED lamps not mandatory

A (Indian) Government Order regarding street lights in local bodies issued last week has councillors and officials of the city Corporation perplexed. The order, issued on February 16, says LED lamps are not mandatory for street lights, overturning the condition that was put forward as part of the guidelines for Plan fund utilisation in 2013. One of the major reasons for switching over to LED lights from the old fluorescent tube lights was the low maintenance cost and long life. The LEDs have an approximate life of around 8-9 years and low maintenance costs compared to the mercury tube lights and sodium vapour lamps, which last only for a maximum of 3 years, say Corporation sources.