The 645-kilometre stretch of National Highway-66 running through Kerala is set to glow under the light of 64,500 LED bulbs, delivering an impressive 40 lux illumination that will make night driving almost like travelling in daylight. Poles will be placed 38 to 42 metres apart, each carrying two high-powered bulbs between 180 and 250 watts. The upper light will brighten the six-lane carriageway, while the lower one will focus on the service roads.
First Trial Run at Thalappady–Chengala
On the Thalappady–Chengala stretch, which is 39 km and ready for inauguration, 3,200 LED lights have already been switched on as part of the trial phase. With two poles placed every 38 to 42 metres — meaning four lights in that space — the highway will have at least 100 lights per kilometre, not including extra lighting planned for flyovers and underpasses.
Specifications and Power Needs
Each pole will be installed about 10 metres from the road and will stand around 10 metres tall. The average power load per pole is estimated at 30 kilowatts, with the entire lighting network across the Kerala stretch requiring around 16.70 megawatts. Newly constructed sections of the highway already have their lights operational.
Who Will Foot the Bill
The construction contractors responsible for each segment of the highway will cover electricity costs for 15 years. Power will be supplied by the Kerala State Electricity Board under connections registered with the National Highways Authority, with charges applied at roughly ₹5 per unit. On average, each kilometre is expected to consume between 12 and 15 kilowatts.
Automated Lighting System
The lighting network will be monitored and controlled through 70 feeder pillars equipped with three-phase energy meters. A timer-based control system will automatically switch the lights on at 6 pm and off at 6 am, ensuring consistent and efficient operation.
