The Delhi government will fund modernisation of the streetlight network and expansion of the CCTV camera network through a monthly instalment-based payment model tied to performance rather than upfront payments. The plan covers the conversion of around 93,000 streetlights on main roads at a cost of Rs 4.73 billion (bn). Payments will be divided into 60 instalments over five years, the public works department minister said.

Under the scheme the installing agency will assume responsibility for maintenance and must submit monthly reports on functionality and removal of dark spots. Maintenance will not be a separate provision and a penalty of Rs 2,000 per day will apply if operators fail to repair lights within a fixed time. The model aims to reduce service lapses and enhance accountability.

Illumination levels of 10–15 LUX on many stretches will be raised to almost 40 LUX and the network will be remotely controlled from a central control room to allow dimming during low use hours and cut power consumption. The minister estimated overall savings over the five year period were likely to be around Rs 3 billion (bn). A control and command centre will be set up at PWD headquarters at ITO to monitor streetlight status in real time.

The project will include dimmable and individually controlled streetlights with the capacity to synchronise blinking for special occasions, officials said. Model tender documents are being prepared to standardise conditions, restrict participation to reputed firms and improve implementation across entire zones rather than piecemeal contracts.

A similar instalment approach will be used for a phased CCTV replacement and expansion, beginning with 50,000 cameras in the first year and further annual quotas thereafter. The department has installed around 280,000 cameras across the city, with nearly half expected to reach the end of operational life by next year, and an additional 50,000 new cameras will be added alongside replacements. Relevant departments will float tenders on a zonal basis to streamline procurement.