New Delhi: In a first-of-its-kind move for the Delhi government, payments for a major public infrastructure project will now depend on performance rather than upfront expenditure, with the city set to adopt an EMI-based model for the installation and maintenance of nearly one lakh smart streetlights.

PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma on Tuesday said the government would release payments for the project in 60 monthly instalments, making contractors accountable for the functioning of the lighting system throughout the contract period.

"For the first time, we are adopting an EMI model for a project of this scale. Monthly payments will be linked to performance reports. If the lights are functioning properly, payment will be released. This will ensure accountability and proper maintenance," Verma said.

The project, expected to be awarded within the next 10 to 15 days, aims to replace existing streetlights on PWD roads with smart LED fixtures backed by a seven-year warranty. The minister said strict penalties have also been built into the contract to prevent negligence.

"If a fused streetlight is not replaced within 48 hours, a penalty of Rs.2,000 per day will be imposed. Even repeated faults in the same light will attract penalties," he said.

Beyond the new payment mechanism, the government is also banking on automation to improve service delivery and reduce electricity consumption.

The upcoming streetlights will be connected to a central monitoring system capable of tracking faults in real time and alerting maintenance teams automatically. Authorities will be able to monitor the status of individual lights and ensure prompt action without waiting for public complaints.

Verma said the brightness level of Delhi's roads would also improve significantly. "At present, many lights operate at around 10 lx. We are upgrading them to 40 lx so roads become brighter and safer," he said.