The Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development has allocated budget for various municipalities across the country to install solar street lights in the respective localities in the current fiscal year. “People’s participation approach” model will be adapted while installing these solar street lights.

The ministry has so far allocated Rs 500 million to 143 municipalities across the country for the purpose. 

Though the ministry had earlier called for proposals for the installation of solar lights from 217 municipalities, only 143 had submitted the proposals.  According to Narhari Sharma Bhandari, under-secretary at the ministry, 143 municipalities have been provided grants to install 45,308 solar street lamps. Of the total installation cost, the respective municipality will bear 20 percent cost and 15 per cent cost will be borne by local consumers’ committees. 

Streets covering an area of around 1,100 kilometers will be illuminated with the solar lamps in the current fiscal year. 

Under this programme, 50,000 street lamps will be replaced by solar lights, which would help reduce the financial burden on the respective municipalities as the electricity cost will drastically come down.