Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) is set to install 615 decorative poles fitted with smart lights along some of the capital’s major roads as part of an initiative to improve road lighting, facilitate movement and enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal amid the country’s power crisis.
DNCC Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan announced the initiative on Sunday afternoon while inaugurating the installation of smart light decorative poles at the Khamarbari intersection on Manik Mia Avenue.
“The installation work will begin in phases following the inauguration,” he said, adding that the initiative would contribute to making the city more modern and attractive.
DNCC officials said the project has an estimated cost of Tk35.40 crore for installing 615 decorative poles fitted with 1,032 lights. This means the average cost of installing each pole with lights is around Tk5.76 lakh.
DNCC Executive Engineer (Electrical) Md Saiful Islam Khan said the corporation initially plans to install the 615 smart lights from Banani to Manik Mia Avenue.
“The initial plan is to install 615 decorative poles along the road from Banani to Manik Mia Avenue,” he said.
Asked about the existing street lights on the roads where the new decorative poles will be installed, Saiful Islam said most of the existing lights had become old and were no longer suitable for reuse elsewhere.
“The existing lights are quite old, maybe 10 years old. They are not suitable for reuse at other locations, so the old lights will be removed, and new ones will be installed,” he said.
However, he added that if any of the old lights are found to be in usable condition, the city corporation may consider reusing them at other locations.
The new decorative poles will feature modern lighting technology, including an RGB lighting system and smart controls.
According to DNCC officials, the system will allow the color of the lights to be changed according to different events and occasions, potentially giving the city’s major roads a different visual appearance during celebrations and special programs.
Speaking at the inauguration, Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan said there were instructions to make cities brighter and more modern.
“This project will be implemented with taxpayers’ money,” he said, stressing that the city corporation would also be responsible for maintaining the infrastructure after the project is implemented.
He also called for cooperation from city residents and relevant stakeholders to ensure the initiative is properly implemented and maintained.