Cuttack: More than 5,000 energy-efficient LED bulbs have been installed along major thoroughfares here as part of a modernisation plan aimed to improve safety and quality.

The LED project launched last year plans to replace 16,069 street lights. As of now, the focus is on the main roads. The remaining lights along sub-roads and other streets will be taken up subsequently.

The LED bulbs will replace the outdated sodium vapour lights along the streets.

The project had started off with installation of 127 LED bulbs along the main road at Sector 6 of Markatnagar. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the project at Markatnagar on December 30.

Municipal commissioner Bikash Ranjan Mohapatra said replacement of the conventional lights by LED bulbs along the main roads was to be completed in 100 working days. "The project will cover all 59 wards for Rs 10.82 crore. It will be completed by May 11," Mohapatra said.

The Cuttack Municipal Corporation's electricity division officials said the LED bulbs had so far been installed along the main roads at Markatnagar, Bidanasi, Sri Vihar, Tulasipur, Chandi Mandir and other areas in ward Nos. 1, 2, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 16. Over 5,000 sodium vapour lights have been replaced so far, an official said.

The corporation's standing committee chairman for electricity Ranjan Kumar Biswal said the civic body spent around Rs 50 lakh per month towards electricity consumption by the sodium vapour street lights in the city and another Rs 1 crore for their annual maintenance. "We expect the expenditure to be reduced by 50 per cent after changing of street lights to the LEDs from the sodium vapour bulbs across the city," Biswal said.