India, Sept. 17 -- The Delhi government is planning to replace the conventional sodium-based streetlights on Public Works Department (PWD) roads with smart LED fittings. The project will be implemented on the "pay-after-performance" model or the "EMI model", officials said.

There are around 96,000 streetlights under PWD in the city, out of which around 45,000 are functioning on older high-pressure sodium vapour (HPSV) fittings. These will now be phased out and replaced with energy-efficient LED lights.

About the "EMI model", PWD officials explained that contractors will be paid in monthly instalments or EMIs, but only after lights are installed and fully operational. This ensures that private companies remain responsible for upkeep, per...