CESC Superintending Engineer assures eco-friendly illumination
 
Mysuru: Following public outrage over the nailing and clamping of avenue trees to fix serial lights ahead of this year’s grand Dasara illumination, the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has assured that no nails, clamps or other hooks will be used on roadside trees.

It has also said that excessively bright bulbs will be avoided to minimise disturbance to the environment and bird-life.

The assurance was given by CESC Superintending Engineer Sunil Kumar during a dialogue held yesterday evening at the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) office in Yadavagiri. The meeting focussed on the impact of Dasara illumination on the  environment and wildlife.

It may be recalled that on Sept. 4, Star of Mysore published a report titled ‘NAILED…! Hundreds of nails, clamps driven into avenue trees for Dasara illumination.’ Following the report, illumination work was abruptly stopped on Sept. 5.

Taking note of the violations, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Territorial) K. Paramesh said, he would issue formal notices to the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) and CESC.

On Saturday, in his weekly column ‘In Black and White,’ Star of Mysore Managing Editor Vikram Muthanna wrote, ‘We want Dasara lights… but do it right,’ highlighting how Dasara’s much-loved illumination has been going overboard and pointing to its darker side and environmental impact.

Use of LED bulbs

Sunil Kumar told the MGP meeting that despite demands from the public and political circles to extend illumination across the entire Outer Ring Road, CESC has planned the displays within its financial limits. Illumination will cover 199 major roads spanning 146 kms, besides 123 traffic circles and more than 80 decorative replicas and models.

LED bulbs will be used extensively. The plans also include an aerial display involving around 3,500 drones to create designs in the night sky.

Important roads, such as Albert Victor Road, D. Devaraj Urs Road and the Jumboo Savari route, besides Hardinge Circle, Jayachamarajendra Circle, K.R. Circle, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Circle, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Circle and LIC Circle, will have special illumination using lower-intensity bulbs.

Environmental safeguards

Sunil Kumar assured the gathering that CESC would ensure the illumination does not disturb the environment or birdlife. Greater emphasis will be placed on the Ambari routes, Palace surroundings, Devaraj Urs Road and Dasara event venues, while illumination on other roads and circles will be comparatively limited.

MGP Member Bhamy V. Shenoy cautioned against unnecessary expenditure and stressed that trees should not be nailed for decorations. “No nails will be driven into trees during illumination and high-intensity lights will not be installed,” Sunil Kumar said.

MGP Members pointed out that the illumination routes have expanded year after year over the past six years, contributing to noise and environmental pollution and affecting wildlife. They urged CESC to limit the extent of illumination while ensuring uninterrupted power supply.

Rs. 9.5 crore expenditure

The illumination is estimated to cost Rs. 9.5 crore, with a temporary power demand of 3,106 kVA, translating to around 2,60,920 units of electricity.

The meeting was attended by CESC N.R. Mohalla Division Executive Engineer Madesh, Assistant Engineer Tanuj, Assistant Executive Engineer K.V. Dharanidevi, MGP President Roy Joseph, Working President S.K. Dinesh, Convener Dayananda Sagar, Treasurer Ravi Bale, environmental expert Shankar Bhat and several civic activists and office-bearers.