Private agencies eyed for Telangana streetlights despite EESL proposal

The Telangana government plans to entrust LED streetlight operation and maintenance in GHMC and other ULBs to private agencies under a 10-year contract estimated at Rs 1,341.60 crore, prompting questions over ILMS integration and the replacement of EESL

Hyderabad: The State government’s decision to entrust the operation and maintenance of LED streetlights in the GHMC and a few other urban local bodies (ULBs) to a private agency, setting aside Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), a government entity, has raised questions over the proposed arrangement.

EESL has installed, operated and maintained 17.24 lakh LED streetlights across Telangana, resulting in significant energy savings and improved public lighting services. Of these, the contract period for 14.88 lakh lights has been completed, while EESL is currently carrying out operation and maintenance of 2.85 lakh LED streetlights in ULBs across the State.

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In GHMC limits, the EESL contract was signed in 2017 and expired in 2025. Similarly, contracts with several other ULBs have also expired.

Accordingly, EESL approached the Municipal Administration department seeking continuation of the LED streetlight project in all ULBs across Telangana.

Unlike during the previous term, EESL this time proposed an integrated Energy Efficient LED Street Lighting System equipped with an Individual Lighting Monitoring System (ILMS) across all ULBs in Telangana. The system would be implemented under a Per Light Per Month (PLPM) service delivery model for seven years.

EESL stated that the new system would significantly reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. The proposed work would include the replacement or installation of LED streetlights and ILMS for seven years.

Under the ILMS, officials can detect faults in individual streetlights and address them immediately, unlike in the conventional system, where a group of streetlights can go defunct and officials have to inspect the entire group to identify and rectify the fault.

Meanwhile, the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh government has also signed a contract with EESL for an ILMS-equipped LED streetlighting system. EESL is learnt to have signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government at a cost of Rs 175 per light per month.

However, the GHMC has floated tenders inviting other agencies to undertake the operation and maintenance of streetlights in three municipal corporations. The project is estimated to cost Rs 1,341.60 crore and will cover a period of 10 years.

Questions are now being raised over whether private agencies selected under the proposed arrangement would be equipped with ILMS. There are also apprehensions over the proposed 10-year contract period.

The State government had earlier directed officials to ensure continuous monitoring of LED streetlights and install control boxes along with the lights.