RAWALPINDI, Jan 11: The two solar energy-lit parks in Rawalpindi Cantonment have become white elephants for the civic body since they cost ten times more than electricity, sources told Dawn.

Army engineers of the 10-Corps installed solar lamps in Roomi and Presidency Park and their maintenance was handed over to the Cantonment Board, who, now finds it difficult to run it because of the heavy cost, Cantonment sources said.

The special solar energy-absorbing panels which help to charge the batteries, to light the lamps, are made of silicon. These are not available in Pakistan and are imported from abroad.

A single panel costs as much as Rs40,000 and work only for two years.

About 40 solar panels have been installed in Roomi Park and 13 have been installed in Presidency Park.

Similarly special batteries are installed with the panels to light the lamps, which also last for two years and the cost of one battery is more than Rs1,700. As many as 24 batteries have been installed in Roomi Park and 13 have been installed in Presidency Park.

The same is the case with the special solar lamps. These are 20 times more costlier than the ordinary electricity lamps. About 93 lamps have been installed in Roomi Park and 47 in Presidency Park.

Apart from this, maintenance costs is also very high. Special arrangements are needed to look after the panels, batteries and the lamps and mishandling can cause major problems.

These expensive components of solar energy lamps is making it difficult for the management to continue with the facility.

The RCB is already complaining of financial constraints and such extra expenditures will further constrain its resource- deficit exchequer.