The much-touted LED bulb distribution, under the Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP) scheme, finally took off in Dhanbad on Thursday, with 1,000 energy-saving bulbs distributed among nearly 100 railway employees.

The distribution camp was organised by east central railway (Dhanbad division) in collaboration with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EES), on the grounds of divisional railway manager's (DRM) office at around 11am.

EES, a joint venture company of four public sector undertakings promoted by the Union power ministry, is responsible for distribution of LED bulbs across Jharkhand under the DELP scheme.

Inaugurated by DRM B.B. Singh, the camp will continue for about a week during which bulbs will be distributed from 10am to 5pm everyday and railway employees can collect the bulbs after furnishing their identity cards. Each employee was provided 10 7-watt LED bulbs at a subsidised rate of Rs 100 each, which is much lesser than the prevailing market price of Rs 300.

Senior divisional commercial manager Abhishek Kumar, senior divisional electrical engineer (general) Dinesh Sah, public relations officer Sanjay Prasad and EES project manager Vivek Utpal were present at the programme among others.

Notably, there are 123 stations under Dhanbad division, comprising 24,000 employees and 18 controlling units of these stations. Similar distribution camps would be held in 17 units of 122 stations over the next six months.