Overhead power cables to go underground in 4 more sectors

Chandigarh, October 23

After launching the much-delayed project in Sector 8 here last month, the UT Administration has decided to shift overhead electricity cables to an underground system in four more sectors.

In a statement, Hartek Power Private Limited, an engineering company, stated that it had bagged an order from the UT Electricity Department for laying underground electricity cables and heavy-duty electricity wiring in Sectors 7, 9, 11 and 26.

To be executed at a cost of Rs8.05 crore and scheduled to be completed by December, the project is intended to eliminate the hazard posed by overhead transformers and high-tension wires that hang precariously on the edges of slip roads, road berms and parking lots in these sectors.

The Electricity Department has singled out these sectors to begin with as the existing power infrastructure here is more than 50 years old, which leads to frequent breakdowns and disruptions in supply.

Besides laying an underground cable system, the firm has been assigned the task of converting overhead transformers into compact underground substations as part of the project.

The project to shift the existing overhead cables underground in Sector 8 was conceived in 2017. Finally, the work started last month.

The Administration will shift the overhead cables in the remaining areas of the city in a phased manner.

An official of the Electricity Department said on completion of the work, there would be uninterrupted power supply in case of thunderstorms or heavy rains. Even distribution losses would be reduced.

The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission had already accorded approval to the project, said the official.

Ranjit Singh, Superintending Engineer, Electrical, said they planned to complete the project by December-end this year. — TNS