Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has informed the High Court that 4.85 lakh traditional high maskstreet lights in 198 wards will be replaced with LED bulbs. This may be one of the biggest projects of its kind in India.

The Justice A S Bopanna-led single-member chair carried out the trial on a petition filed by “BBMP Electric Contractor’s Association” questioning the tender process of the project. For BBMP, K N Puttegowda had filed a written petition.

In the objection, he maintained that the global tender has been called to provide good service to the people. The step has been taken as per the advice of the expert committee. This scientific plan would cut the power utilisation expense by 60 percent to 70 percent.

Under the project, 65, 90 and 150-watt LED bulbs will be used and BBMP can save up to Rs 100 Crore with the project, which means it would save around Rs 8.4 Crore per month. The project also allows to use CCTV camera and stop pollution. The project is valid for 10 years.

BBMP didn’t agree that the participation of multinational companies would affect the smaller contractors. The tender is being carried out under Karnataka Transparency and Public Procurement Act. The opportunity is open for the local contractors to participate in the tender process, it claimed.