Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju has directed Collector M.M. Nayak to release 70 per cent of MPLADS funds for replacing incandescent bulbs with 3,287 LED bulbs for streetlighting in 38 select panchayats in Badangi, Bobbili, Bondapalli, Cheepurupalli, Denkada, Dattirajeru, Gajapathinagaram, Gantyada, Gurla, Garividi, Merakamudidam, Jami, Ramabhadrapuram, Therlam and Vizianagaram mandals, which form part of his Vizianagaram parliamentary constituency.
Estimated cost
The estimated cost of fixing 24W LED bulbs (each costs Rs. 1,550) was put at Rs. 50, 94, 850; of which Mr. Ashok sanctioned 70 per cent grant from MPLADS i.e. Rs. 35, 66,395 and the panchayats have to bear the balance amount of Rs. 15, 28, 455.
The panchayats were selected on the basis of high density of SCs, according to a release.