Ten months after the installation under the flyover, the 'waterproof' lights have stopped working owing to the rains
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) is at the receiving end of more criticism after the LED lights -- installed under the Barfiwala flyover at the cost of Rs 14.5 lakh -- have gone kaput.
When the lights go out: Darkness looms as the LED strip below the Barfiwala flyover has not been functioning for the past two weeks
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Transport experts opine that instead of spending the substantial amount on LED lights at the flyover, the planning authority should have concentrated on installing lights under the Sahar elevated road and also under the Metro rail corridor at Andheri.
The LED lights, which were installed in October 2012, in an attempt to improve the aesthetics of the structure and illuminate the road underneath, have been non-functional for the last two weeks. Authorities say the lights are not working because of rainfall.
Surprisingly, at the time of installing them, the authority had said that the lights, a welcomed development, were supposed to be waterproof and have a long lifespan.
“The eco-friendly LED strip lighting consumes very low power and is also economical. The same can be used indoors as well as outdoors as it is waterproof and has a long lifespan. The LED wall washers, that give a soft blue touch with high brightness to the flyover which will run for a total of 1,400 metres on both sides,” an MMRDA official had said while inaugurating the lights.
However, experts say that the expenditure is unnecessary and that lights should be installed at other crucial locations. Transport expert Jitendra Gupta said, “Rather than wasting money on installing LED lights, which have now stopped working, the MMRDA should install lights at the Ghatkopar Metro station and various other stretches under the Metro bridge corridor where pedestrians risk life walking in the dark.”
When MiD DAY contacted MMRDA about the lights, Joint Project Director Dilip Kawatkar said, “We will immediately repair the lighting.”u00a0
1.4 km
The length along which the LED lights have been installed at the flyoveru00a0
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