“The lights have already been tested. They will start operation in a few days,” said Bhuwan Prasad Luintel, senior officer of the municipality. [break]
The main markets in these wards -- Amarpath, BP Chowk, Ram Mandir Line and Traffic Chowk -- now have solar-powered lights.
A total of 48 lights have been installed in these places, with batteries and solar panels. Of the lights, 38 have been installed over people’s houses, while the rest have been installed atop poles.
Technically, it is better to place the lights atop people’s houses than atop poles, said Luintel.
The installation cost a total of Rs 3.6 million. Of the sum, the municipality and UNDP’s Public-Private Partnership for Urban Environment Project contributed 65 percent, while 20 percent was provided by consumers.
The remaining 15 percent was contributed by private partner Suryodaya Energy Pvt Ltd. The private partner will be responsible for maintenance of the lights for five years, according to an agreement.
With the installation of the solar-powered lights, the main markets of the three wards will not have to worry about power cuts any more.
The municipality also expects brisker business in the evenings at the marketplaces due to the lights, while evening-time criminal activities, including thefts and robberies are expected to go down.
According to the municipality, some 362 households and 1,600 business establishments will be the direct beneficiaries of the lights.
The municipality plans to install solar-powered street lights in all wards, provided the experiment succeeds.
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