In a significant milestone for the Bangladesh-India development partnership, a contract was signed on Saturday in Chattogram for the modernization of the city’s street light system. This project, valued at USD 25.71 million (nearly Tk 300 crore), is being implemented under the Government of India’s concessional Line of Credit programme.
The signing ceremony was attended by Md Tajul Islam, Bangladesh’s Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives; Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation; and Pranay Verma, High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh.
High Commissioner Verma, in his remarks, highlighted the project’s role in laying the foundation for a Smart City infrastructure in Chattogram. He emphasized its alignment with the recently declared Shared Vision for an ‘India-Bangladesh Green Partnership for a Sustainable Future,’ signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s state visit to India in June 2024.
The high commissioner underscored the collaborative efforts of both nations to integrate environment-friendly approaches into development projects. These efforts include co-developing energy-efficient measures, enhancing energy independence, reducing carbon emissions, and improving power transmission efficiency. The project aims to optimize energy use, reduce wastage, promote sustainable urban development, and establish smart urban infrastructure to enhance the quality of urban life.
Describing the project as a testament to the sustainability commitment of both India and Bangladesh, Verma expressed hope that such collaborations would pave the way for a brighter, greener, and more prosperous future.
According to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, the project’s objective is to replace conventional street lights with eco-friendly, low-power consuming LED lights. This upgrade will reduce Chattogram’s carbon footprint, lower maintenance costs due to the longer lifespan of the LED lights, and improve public safety by providing better-lit streets.
The modernization project will cover approximately 460 kilometers of city streets, utilizing 20,600 LED light fittings and associated technology and equipment. This initiative is expected to result in significant cost savings and contribute to the overall enhancement of life quality for Chattogram’s residents.
By implementing this project with a concessional loan from the Government of India, both nations reaffirm their dedication to sustainable development and the creation of smart urban environments.
