CAG exposes corporation’s doublespeak on using SVLs instead of LEDs

The comptroller and auditor general of India (CAG) has laid threadbare the double speak of Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on enhancing energy efficiency or rather reducing its carbon footprint. 

The auditors have faulted GCC for installing sodium vapour lamps (SVL) even after introducing LED fittings, which consume 45% less power, for street lights in the city. 

In his report of the performance audit of local bodies, which was tabled in the State Assembly, the CAG observed that Rs 26.18 crore was spent on installing 12,041 sodium vapour lamps under Chennai mega city development mission (CMCDM) between 2011-12 and 2013-14 fiscals. Audit scrutiny has revealed that the corporation had subsequently replaced 1,327 SVLs installed under CMCDM with LED lamps between November 2015 and April 2016 at a cost of Rs 36.72 lakh. 

Recalling how the corporation had introduced LED lamps as early as August 2011, the auditors have observed that it could have provided LED lamps under CMCDM instead of sodium vapour lamps to save electricity. “Failure to properly plan the provision of street lights resulted in avoidable expenditure of Rs 36.72 lakh on sodium vapour lamps and fittings,” the report said, apparently, rubbishing its big talk about conserving energy.  Refusing to accept the government’s reply that LED installation was under trial during the preparation of project report for CMCDM, the CAG has concluded that electrical department of the corporation had included the “supplying, fixing and maintenance for seven years of LED fittings” in the schedule of rates way back in 2011-12 and it could have provided energy efficient LED lights instead of SVLs under CMCDM from 2011-12 itself.