Sir,

Many have suggested installation of automatic street light controllers in city. Yes, it is a good idea but will it work is the million dollar question? 

I have worked in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for over 40 years and visited many places abroad. In Saudi and Kuwait, once a scheme is implemented there is an annual budget to MAINTAIN the facility. 

This maintenance has two parts. The contractor who installs a facility has to maintain it for a minimum period of two years from date of handover or substantial completion. This includes explicit warranties and guarantees plus periodic maintenance and repair maintenance (this is built into the supply and installation costs). 

Before the expiry of the above warranty maintenance, a contractor is selected to carry on the periodic and repair maintenance (this will include replacement of bulbs, fittings and lighting and switchgear; the price is built into the costing). The contractor is obligated to carry a pre-determined quantity of all spare-parts which is regularly audited by the respective authority.

Inspectors are given area and a duty cycle to daily survey his or her area and note any deficiency, defect and raise a work order instantly and the contractor is given 2 to 4 hours to attend to it. But if it is necessary to switch off the power-supply to carry out the repair, then it is delayed to the daytime hours (so the maximum timing is 24 hours) no excuse is given for non-availability of spare parts (that is why the inclusion of carrying a pre-determined quantity of spare part) which the contractor has to maintain and replenish as and when spares are consumed.

Finally before the monthly payment is made to the contractor all work open work orders are scrutinised and payment made after deducting penalties and withholding a minimum of 10 percent to a maximum of 25 percent of the monthly payment. The payment is on a daily basis (starting from the end of the 24 hour period) and even an hour delay is penalised as one day. (Exception is given only if the work had started long before the 24 hours ended and due to technical reason or a reason beyond the control of the contractor and with the written sanction of the authority). 

That is why one sees clean streets, working lights, clean and well maintained buses and trains and other public utility. But in India there are lots of loopholes and avenues for vested interest and corrupt practices. Hence, the million dollar question?

– George Rego, Mysuru, 14.6.2020

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