Turn off those hoarding lights to save this city!

HYDERABAD: Poor management of outdoor lighting is leading to a double trouble in the city. Energy is wasted, and it also increases carbon footprint. A TOI recce carried out recently found that empty hoardings were glowing in places like Punjagutta, Khairatabad, Himayatnagar and LB Nagar, leading to wastage of electricity. Strikingly, there were no displays on these advertisement hoardings or unipoles but lights were blinking.

According to International Development Association, 13% of residential electricity use in the city is for outdoor lighting. About 35% of light is wasted by unshielded or poorly aimed outdoor lighting.


Activists and social workers said advertisers were wasting state resources. “Although electricity bill is footed by advertisement agencies, but it is their social responsibility not to waste electricity,” said Harish Daga, a techie who advocates civic causes.

Srinivas Chary, executive engineer, GHMC (electrical wing), said one hoarding has 10 to 15 lights, depending on the size, and will consume 12 units per day. He said advertisers should protect environment as lights increase pollution level by emitting carbon dioxide. LEDs, however, help to reduce energy consumption and protect environment.

Dimmers, motion sensors and timers can help to reduce average illumination levels and save more energy, say experts. “Quality lighting design reduces energy use and energy dependence. It also reduces carbon emissions and saves money,” said P R Laxman Rao of Kakatiya Energy System. He said shielded fixtures can provide same level of illumination on the ground as unshielded ones but with less energy and cost. Unnecessary indoor lighting, particularly in empty office buildings at night, should be turned off.

A top GHMC official, on condition of anonymity, said civic agency’s ad wing should crack down on such agencies and monitor sensors attached to control illumination.