"A pilot project with just 20 bulbs is a waste of time. They should get more yellow bulbs and try them out over a stretch of at least 100m. They should try the yellow LEDs and sodium vapour lamps together," said Jadhav.
The golden glow is all set to return to the Marine Drive next week, though only partially right now. Over two months after the High Court asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to re-install the yellow lights, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), the agency responsible for the lighting, will conduct an experiment with the yellow LEDs.
As many as 20 yellow LEDs will be installed at the NCPA end of the iconic road to check if the illumination matches with the glow of old sodium vapour lamps. "We have already called for yellow LED lamps. They will be delivered soon. As part of the pilot project, 20 bulbs will be installed on five poles. We will let the heritage committee inspect and see if the illumination mimics the glow of sodium vapour lamps," said Deepak Kokate from EESL.
Experts, however, said the BMC will have to go back to the old lamps, as even the yellow LEDs won't be able to produce the same effect. In February, following a complaint from Professor Avkash Jadhav, a nominated Shiv Sena corporator, the Mumbai Heritage Conservation Committee (MHCC) had written to the civic body, urging them to change the lighting scheme to either golden or yellow. Marine Drive is a designated heritage precinct and no changes can be made without the MHCC nod. When the BMC took no action, the HC suggested bringing back the sodium vapour lamps.
"A pilot project with just 20 bulbs is a waste of time. They should get more yellow bulbs and try them out over a stretch of at least 100m. They should try the yellow LEDs and sodium vapour lamps together," said Jadhav.
"MHCC will do an inspection from the heritage perspective. The LEDs have led to dark patches and the light doesn't even reach the promenade, making it unsafe for walkers. This should also be looked into. A lux level survey should be done jointly with citizen groups," he added.
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 "Mumbai: Queen's necklace to get some of its gold back")
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