Now, North and South Blocks all set to give a visual treat 

The iconic North and South Block building flanking the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi got a new dynamic lighting system on Wednesday which can display a wide range of themes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Cabinet Ministers attended the inauguration of new dynamic lighting of North and South blocks which has the potential to present an amazing 16 million colour combinations

The twin buildings at present are illuminated on eight select days through the year - including Republic and Independence Days - with static lighting. The new light fittings will be free from dust, vermin and moisture with the outdoor weather protection of the highest order (IP-66) with robust design.

Modi witnessed the first day of new lighting

Installed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), the new dynamic façade lighting of the two famed buildings was switched on by Mahipal Singh, the senior most support staff (Multi Tasking Staff) of the Ministry of Home, housed in the North Block on Wednesday next at 6.30 am. The new lighting system will be on show for the benefit of media and the people of Delhi.

Visitors will be left spellbound

Rashtrapati Bhawan located between the North and South Block buildings and overseeing the Rajpath will be covered with similar lighting from the first of January next, which would present a continuous stretch of visual delight.

Pride of Delhi

The new lighting will be on show from 7.00 pm to 5.00 am all through the year with full capacity prime time lighting from 8.00 pm to 9.00 pm. With inherent dimming facility, the electrical load will be 25% during 7.00-7.30 pm and 10.00 pm to 5.00 am while the load will be 50% during the remainder of the night.

Dazzling Raisina Hill

CPWD that has put in extensive efforts towards conceptualization, designing and execution informed the Ministry that the initial investment of Rs.15.40 cr for the new lighting will be recovered in just 6 to 7 years and thereafter the system becoming virtually free of cost as against the costs being incurred every year now.

The new dynamic façade lighting has a multitude of advantages over the present conventional special lighting on show on special occasions like the Independence Day and the Republic Day and some national festivals and façade lighting. New The lights and fixtures are more durable, cost effective, energy efficient and environment friendly. The present lighting covers an area of 16,750 sq.mtres.

The annual saving on account of new lighting of 21,450 sq.mtres of façade area in respect of replacement, maintenance and operation cost will be Rs.86.40 lakhs. The life of the new LED light fittings is over one lakh burning hours, coming to about 25 years as against only 10,000 burning hours for the existing. Energy consumption by the present limited conventional lighting using LED, Metal Halide and Sodium Vapour light fittings is Rs.17.00 lakhs per year, double that of the extended year round new dynamic lighting with an energy consumption of only Rs.8.40 lakhs per year.

OneIndia News