Energy Efficiency Services (EESL), which installed over 1.31 crore LED street lights across urban and rural areas under the Street Lighting National Programme (SLNP), is yet to be paid dues worth ₹2,700.54 crore as of FY25.
Launched in 2015, the SLNP aims to reduce energy consumption and costs in public lighting through LED street lighting. EESL, a joint venture of CPSEs under the Power Ministry, is the implementing agency.
There have generally been no delays at EESL end in implementation of the SLNP scheme once the agreements and consents from the respective authority is finalised, Power Minister Manohar Lal said in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha.
“However, the outstanding receivables against SLNP amounting to approximately ₹2,700.54 crore {excluding delayed payment surcharge}, as on March 31, 2025 from various States and urban local bodies (ULBs), is one of the major challenges being faced by the company owing to implementation of the programme,” he added.
EESL and the Ministry are rigorously following up with the States/UTs concerned for expediting the release of EESL’s outstanding payment towards SLNP, the Minister emphasised.
Lal informed the Lower House that SLNP has largely achieved its objective of catalysing the adoption of energy efficient street lights in the country and now urban and rural local bodies are taking it forward through alternative options including capex model.
Installing more than 1.31 crore LED street lights has resulted in an annual electricity energy saving of around 8.8. billion kWh and annual monetary saving of around ₹6,178 crore for municipalities and gram panchayats. SLNP has been implemented in 69 State bodies/ authorities.