Patna: Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has initiated a transition to a sensor-based, IoT-enabled street lighting system to modernise urban infrastructure and improve energy efficiency across the city. According to the corporation, a tender has been floated to select an agency that will install 25,000 new street lights and automate the existing network through a Centralised Control and Monitoring System (CCMS).PMC executive engineer (electrical) Bablu Kumar said incorporating IoT will streamline monitoring. “The control room will provide real-time data daily and show areas with faulty lines. This ensures that rapid action is taken and street lights are repaired immediately,” he said. The new system marks a shift from the existing manual method, where ward inspections and complaints from residents are the primary ways to identify faulty street lights.Around 83,000 street lights are already operational in the Patna municipal area, and all of them, along with the new 25,000, will be upgraded with IoT technology. The selected agency will be responsible for implementation, while PMC will oversee quality control and monitoring. The project is scheduled for completion within one year of the agency’s selection.The project cost and phase-wise implementation details will be finalised after the agency is selected. A central control room will be established at the PMC headquarters, integrating the CCMS with existing infrastructure to enable real-time monitoring and faster fault resolution.PMC commissioner Yashpal Meena said, “This initiative marks a major step towards transforming Patna into a smart and sustainable city. By adopting IoT-enabled street lighting, we are not only improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs but also enhancing public safety and service delivery for our citizens.”In addition to standard street lighting upgrades, PMC plans to install 12.5-metre-high mast lights at 35 new locations, including Yarpur Rajputana, Patna-Gaya Road, Panchmukhi Hanuman Mandir and Ashiyana More, among others. Each mast will have six floodlights with a combined capacity of 1,200 watts.At present, 166 high mast lights are operational in the city, and the new installations aim to strengthen illumination in high-traffic and critical areas. Financial details and timelines will be finalised after the bidding process concludes.
