HUBBALLI: The long-awaited LED streetlight project for the Hubballi–Dharwad twin city is finally close to taking off, with key procedural requirements now nearing completion.
The agency selected through the tender process has submitted the mandatory bank surety for the full 94-month period, as stipulated in the tender conditions. With this crucial step completed, officials of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) are finalising the remaining documentation required to issue the formal work order.
Earlier, the project had been delayed after the Tumakuru-based agency failed to submit the bank surety on time, slowing its progress and pushing back the implementation schedule. With most formalities now in place, the project is expected to begin on the ground within the next couple of weeks.
Once implemented, the project will significantly upgrade the city’s streetlighting network by replacing conventional streetlights with 64,000 LED lamps. The shift to LED lighting is expected to reduce electricity consumption, lower municipal energy bills and cut the city’s overall carbon footprint. Along with energy savings, the initiative aims to enhance the quality and reliability of public lighting, improving road visibility and strengthening public safety during night hours.
A key component of the project is the introduction of a Centralised Control and Monitoring System (CCMS), which will allow real-time monitoring of streetlights. The system will help authorities quickly detect faults, track performance and plan maintenance more efficiently. By reducing downtime and speeding up repairs, the CCMS is expected to ensure more consistent lighting across various localities.
The Rs 93.6-crore project is being executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. In addition to the planned installation of 64,000 LED lamps, the agreement includes provisions for another 11,000 lights to ensure wider and more comprehensive coverage across Hubballi and Dharwad. The expanded scope aims to address existing gaps in streetlighting and cater to future needs as the cities continue to grow.
HDMC commissioner Rudresh Ghali said the agency awarded the project has completed all formalities, including the bank surety, and officials are now preparing the documentation to issue the work order shortly.
He said the performance of the LED lights installed on a trial basis would be evaluated for quality and efficiency, and an independent team of chartered engineers would submit a report on the trial installations.
Ghali added that officials have already measured lux levels of more than 800 LED lights installed on a trial basis in Hubballi–Dharwad.
