Flickering and dim tube lights with cobwebs covering their frame are how one would probably refer the to tube lights inside coaches of local trains. But this is finally going to be a thing of the past as the Western Railway goes about replacing the incandescent tube lights with LEDs.
The Western Railway (WR) authorities have begun the process of installing 23,200 LEDs in their fleet of 102 rakes running on the suburban section. The LED tube light gives a daytime-like vision even during the night. An LED tube light is said to be safe with an absence of mercury.
"We have begun work and already replaced regular lights with LED ones in 23 rakes. By December this year all the rakes shall have LEDs. This will be at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore," said Ravinder Bhakar, Chief PRO, Western Railway.
These LED tube lights will also help the authorities save approximately Rs 91,000 per rake annually. The consumption of electricity will also come down with each rake saving around 16,500 units per year as LEDs have a longer life compared to regular tube lights. On March 26, the WR authorities began the work of installing LEDs in coaches of local trains.
Sources said that over the past two days, senior railway officials have visited the Mahalaxmi Workshop where this work is underway. Senior rail officials said that on April 21, Chairman Railway Board, Ashwani Lohani is expected to be in Mumbai and is likely to enquire about the status of the same.
This comes after lighting fixtures at all railway stations were replaced with LEDs. The Railways have installed LEDs on 726 stations on the entire WR that is set to result in savings of Rs 5 crore and 6.83 million units of electricity every year.
LIGHTER BILLS
- The LED lights will help save approximately Rs 91,000 per rake annually.
- Each rake will save 16,500 units of electricity per year.
- LED lights on 726 WR stations will result in savings of Rs 5 crore and 6.83 million units of electricity.
