MUMBAI: Taking a leaf out of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) book, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking is considering innovative lighting on street poles, along the lines of butterfly- and bird-themed street lights, launched in 2022 as part of then chief minister Eknath Shinde’s plan to enhance the city’s street infrastructure.
“There is scope to reimagine the shape and design of street lights. “Being a global city, Mumbai needs to rethink the aesthetics and design of streetlights. “For instance, Worli, which is home to the fisher folk, can have a design that depicts their life – a fish, for instance. Likewise, there could be lights in the shape of a conch in another part of the city.”
Hence, we have asked members of the committee to come up with innovative designs, following which we will shortlist a company to carry out the task,” said Vishwasrao. A key part of the discussion was developing design ideas unique to the area where the lights would be installed, said a member who participated in the meeting. Each area in the city and suburbs has its distinct character, which must reflect in the designs,” said Ramakant Gupta, a committee member.
The 250 poles are expected to cost ₹ 66.12 lakh, the 1100 poles ₹ 1.58 crore and the remaining 100 poles ₹ 27.44 lakh, according to BEST officials. The proposal document states that the approval of the BEST Committee will be obtained under Section 460K(c) of the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, for the annual purchase of the street light poles.
