Pokhara Sub-metropolis and other local stakeholders have launched a project to install street lamps powered by solar energy in two major business hubs-Lakeside and New Road—in the city.

An agreement to this end was signed among representatives of the local body, construction company Suryodaya Power Company Private Limited (SPCPL), New Road Reform Committee, Pokhara Tourism Council and Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday.

According to the agreement, 101 street lamps will be installed in 99 poles in Lakeside and 79 street lamps in 78 poles in New road. The lamps installed in brand new poles in around 4.5 kilometre road stretches will be lit throughout the night after charging them for five hours during the day. Executive Officer of the Sub-metropolis Office Jhalakram Adhikari said around Rs 21.1 million is needed for the projects. According to the local body officials, around Rs 12 million is required to install street lamps, CCTV cameras and back-up power in the Lakeside area and around Rs 910,000 is needed for the same in the New Road area.

Business enterprises under the Pokhara Tourism Council have collected around Rs 2.2 million and New Road Reform Committee has donated Rs 1.8 million for the project. Pokhara Sub-metropolis, meanwhile, has committed to bear 33 percent of the total cost. As per the agreement, the SPCPL will light the street lamps by June 3, 2014.

The agreement was signed by Pokhara Sub-metropolis Executive Officer Adhikari, New Road Reform Committee Chairman Dambar Bahadur Gurung, Pokhara Tourism Council Chairman Surya Bahadur Bhujel, Pokhara Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Sanjiv Bahadur Koirala, SPCPL Director Nabin Bhujel and Managing Director Ram Bahadur Bhandari.

According to Koirala, they have formed a Street Lamp Management Committee and formulated its working procedures. The committee will collect advertisement revenues from the project areas and spend the amount in maintenance works.