Costly LED bulbs beat a retreat

NEW DELHI: A brightly lit-up Raisina Hill at sundown on January 26 is as much a visual treat as the Republic Day parade. However, even as the Narendra Modi government promotes the use of LED lamps over ordinary light bulbs, or GLS lamps in lighting parlance, it is the latter that will be illuminating the Rashtrapati Bhavan, North Block and South Block once again this year.

To be fair to the Modi government, its Central Public Works Department ( CPWD) did test the ‘energy-saving and green’ LED option last year as an alternative to GLS lamps, around 1 lakh of which line the exterior of the three historic buildings on Raisina Hill every Republic Day. But hiring LED options available until early last year was not found to be cost-effective. As compared to Rs 20-25 lakh paid to contractors who provide GLS bulbs and all other related equipment like wiring and circuits, apart from maintenance services, the cost of doing the same with LED lamps was estimated at Rs 1 crore. Besides, given that the lighting would be for no more than four hours on as many days - January 26, 27, 28 and 29 — the savings in terms of power would work out to just Rs 1 lakh.

“This meant a four-fold rise in costs with little savings in terms of energy, given that the bulbs are sparingly used,” said a senior CPWD functionary. Also, the quality of lighting created by LED bulbs was found to be inferior to that of GLS lamps. While LED lamps available in the market then were found to be good only for forward lighting, the beam spread of the GLS lamps was far more suited to illuminating buildings. There was also an issue with colour of light emitted by LED bulbs. “The white light of an LED bulb could not recreate the yellow glow of GSL lamps on the stone structure,” the officer pointed out.

But green activists need not be disappointed. CPWD sources indicate that with advancements in quality of LED bulbs coupled with a drastic reduction in costing, 2016 may well be the last year when non-eco-friendly GLS lamps will adorn Raisina Hill between Republic Day and the Beating Retreat ceremony. “The department is in touch with industry leaders on the latest advancements in LED technology. They have indicated that the new-age LED bulbs match GLS lamps in terms of quality of lighting, while being much cheaper than their earlier versions.

“We hope to see the glow of eco-friendly LED bulbs on Raisina Hill structures next year,” said a CPWD functionary.