Staff Correspondent
Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma recently attended the signing ceremony of a project for
Modernization of City Street Light System in Chattogram City Corporation area.
The project is being implemented with a credit line of US$ 25.71 million (nearly BDT 300 crore) under
Government of India’s concessional Line of Credit programme.
The contract signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development
and Co-operatives of Bangladesh Mr. Md. Tazul Islam, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, Mr. Md.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma.
In his remarks at the event, Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma noted that the project will
establish the foundations of a Smart City infrastructure for Chattogram. He highlighted the importance
of the project in the context of the declaration of a Shared Vision for ‘India-Bangladesh Green
Partnership for a Sustainable Future’ signed during the recent State visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina to India in June 2024.
The Indian High Commissioner emphasized the efforts being made by both countries to create a
framework for introducing environment-friendly approaches in development projects, co-develop
energy-efficient measures, enhance energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, improve power
transmission efficiency, optimally utilize energy, reduce energy wastage, seek sustainable urban
development, set up smart urban infrastructure, and improve quality of urban life.
High Commissioner described the project as a testament to the commitment of both India and
Bangladesh to sustainability, and hoped that such collaborations will illuminate the path towards a
brighter, greener, and more prosperous future for all.
The objective of this project is to replace conventional street lights with eco-friendly, low power
consuming LED lights which will also contribute in reducing the carbon footprint of the city. With longer
lifespan, these lights will also reduce maintenance costs which will translate into cost savings, besides
contributing to overall enhancement of the quality of life for Chattogram’s residents with well-lit streets
encouraging safer use of public spaces.
The project for modernization of the city street light system for Chattogram is being implemented with a
concessional loan of USD 25.71 million from the Government of India, and the scope involves coverage
of approximately 460 kms of city streets using 20,600 LED light fittings and other associated technology
and equipment.
Indian High Commissioner attends CCC signing ceremony
