Thiruvananthapuram to Launch Centralised Streetlight Monitoring System Soon

quick Summary

• the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation is introducing a centralised monitoring system for overseeing street lighting in the capital city.
• Public can report faulty street lights directly using QR codes on electric posts, which will be linked to the Corporation authorities.
• Medayil Vikraman, chairperson of the works standing committee, stated that the system will provide real-time data on non-functioning street lights at an Integrated City Control Centre (ICCC) located at Palayam.
• Approximately 90% of the system installation work is complete, and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) needs to connect reading meters to street lights. It is indeed expected to become operational before Onam.
• The street lighting is managed under a public-private partnership model:

– Payment by the Corporation depends on data from real-time monitoring of functional and non-functional lights.- A penalty clause imposes fines if faulty lights are not repaired within 48 hours.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Efficient management of public utilities like street lighting can significantly improve urban infrastructure and citizen satisfaction.Thiruvananthapuram’s adoption of real-time monitoring through a centralised control system reflects progress toward modernizing civic administration. Leveraging QR code technology demonstrates an innovative approach encouraging public participation in urban management, fostering accountability.

The use of performance-linked payments under a public-private partnership model reduces unnecessary expenditures for maintenance while ensuring swift action against unresponsive contractors through penalties-a well-balanced strategy. However,triumphant implementation depends heavily on seamless integration with Kerala State Electricity Board’s existing systems and robust execution before peak festive seasons like Onam when demand is higher.

If sustained effectively, this initiative could serve as a blueprint for other Indian cities aiming to modernize their infrastructure and incorporate technology-driven governance.

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