SAMBALPUR: Work on installation of electric poles to illuminate major roads of Sambalpur with LED lights is going on in full swing. The major roads of the city will be illuminated by the end of October.
Sambalpur Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Bimalendu Rai said the Public Works department is executing the work and the estimated cost of the project is Rs 6 crore. New poles are being installed in the median of the major roads, he said.
The city roads, including Ring Road along river Mahanadi from Nelson Mandela Chowk to Durgapali Chowk, Farm Road to Khetrajpur Railway Station, Ainthapali-Fatak Main Road, Gobindtola-Dhanupali Main Road, Gobindtola-Putibandh Road and Zilla School Chowk- Laxmi Talkies Chowk will be illuminated. Besides, road in front of Sambalpur University and PC Bridge Chowk-PG Chowk in Burla will also be illuminated with the LED lights.
Apart from installation of LED lights on the roads of the city, at least 11 high mast lights will also be installed at strategic locations.
SMC Light Inspector Swarup Pattnaik said work on installation of poles is going on in full swing. However, work on Zilla School Chowk-Laxmi Talkies Chowk Road will start after shifting of the electric poles installed in the median of the road. The shifting of the electric poles will be carried out by WESCO. New poles will then be installed for fixing the LED lights, he said.
Poor street lighting is a major problem of the city. Majority of the areas along the major roads turn dark after closure of roadside shops and shopping complexes.
However, the roads will be illuminated all through the night after installation of LED lights.