February 6: Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has installed 1,026 smart street lights at various locations in the metropolis. Under this initiative, the KMC installed 318 lights in Maharajganj-Lainchaur-Jamal section, 363 in the Maharajgunj National Police Academy-Baluwatar-Naxal-Maitighar Mandala route, 181 from Kamalpokhari to Gaushala, 76 along the Tripureshwor-Thapathali-Maitighar Mandala road, and 99 in Chabahil-Boudha road section.

According to Padma Raj Paudel, electrical engineer of the KMC, 120-watt lights have been installed on wider roads and 90-watt lights have been installed on narrow roads.

The KMC officials said that modern street lights have been installed to enhance traffic management, ensure public safety, and contribute to social security during night time. The KMC undertook this initiative in collaboration with the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and the Department of Roads (DoR).

The KMC had signed an agreement with the NEA on February 7, 2023 for installing the smart lights under this project worth Rs 119.9 million. As per the agreement, the KMC will bear 60 percent cost of the project and the NEA will bear 40 percent.

Once installed, all lights will be integrated into a unified system, allowing for convenient control such as adjusting brightness, dimming, and turning lights off or on, all managed from a centralized screen.