All streetlights in New Town to be controlled by on-off timers

In a unique move, New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) recently took a resolution at a board meeting that all streetlights in New Town will be controlled by on-off timers so that energy wastage doesn't take place at daytime.

"We have taken this decision recently. I got a certificate in writing from chief engineer of NKDA and chief engineer of WBHIDCO that all streetlights of New Town have been connected to automatic on- off timers," said Debashis Sen, WBHIDCO chairman-cum-managing director.

NKDA have also installed some pilot motion-sensor switches in WBHIDCO Bhavan that switches off room lights automatically there. This system will work when there would be no human movement detected for as long as 15 minutes at a stretch. "We saw a presentation by a Korean company that showed us plug points with AI (Artificial Intelligence). This system studies patterns of electricity consumption over a period of time and minimises power consumption," Sen added. "More importantly, we have asked electrical staff not to switch on room AC machines in the morning before the officers enter the room at WBHIDCO," he added.

"The previous concept was to switch on the AC machines to cool the room before officers reached their offices. But I observed that some officers were busy in field assignments and other important duties and they did not reach office by 10 am. So switching on the AC machine from 9 am was not right. I have instructed the electrical staff to switch on AC machines after the officers reach," Sen added.