Patna: Patna is set to move towards a smarter public lighting system, with the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) planning to automate all 82,000 streetlights in the city using Internet of Things (IoT)-based technology.
Under the proposed system, sensors installed on streetlights will automatically switch them on at dusk and turn them off at dawn, reducing manual intervention while improving energy efficiency.
Central Command Centre Planned
PMC officials said a centralised command centre will be established to monitor the functioning of the city’s streetlights in real time. A proposal seeking approval for the tender has already been submitted to the concerned department.
The new tender will also include provisions for installing 25,000 additional streetlights across Patna and replacing ageing lights installed earlier under the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) programme that have reached the end of their operational life.
Officials said the integrated monitoring system would enable faster identification and resolution of faults.
High-Mast Lights At 35 Locations
Alongside the automation project, the civic body is accelerating the installation of 35 new high-mast lights across 30 municipal wards, with work expected to be completed within the next 30 days.
Foundation work has already begun at around 20 locations, including Jayaprakash Nagar, Dayanand High School, Basawan Park T-point and the Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple.
Each high-mast structure will stand 12.5 metres tall and be fitted with six floodlights with a combined capacity of 1,200 watts.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 1.6 crore. Patna currently has 166 operational high-mast lights, and the new installations will expand coverage at key intersections, markets, residential neighbourhoods and public spaces across the city.
Ward-Level Teams To Address Complaints
PMC has also constituted dedicated ward-level teams to respond more quickly to streetlight complaints, particularly during the monsoon season when switch failures and carbon accumulation frequently affect lighting infrastructure.
Officials said around 250 to 300 complaints relating to faulty streetlights are currently pending, with repair work being carried out on a continuous basis.
The corporation expects that the introduction of IoT-based monitoring, combined with the expansion of the lighting network and the establishment of a central command centre, will improve maintenance efficiency, reduce outages and enhance public safety across Patna.
