large parts of the State capital may be free from electric poles if plans of the State Government fall in place. Department officials claimed that they are planning underground transmission lines wherever its possible in the city.
The project will not only help in checking power theft but also improve power supply in the city. Department sources revealed that it has been decided to get rid of street-side electricity poles and take the overhead electricity cables and high-tension wires underground from Clock Tower to Astley Hall Crossing.
Considering the perpetual rain and unpredictable weather conditions in the capital, the residents of the city are used to the never-ending power cuts when it rains. The much-needed underground wiring system will also help overcome the technical snags during the rough weather conditions in the city. There have been a number of incidents in the past, when these overhead web of wires have proved to be a major safety hazard for the commuters.
A budget of nearly Rs 5 crore has been set aside for the project in Dehradun, the one at Mussoorie costing about the same. Department officials claimed that the work for undergrounding power cables has already started from library Bazaar to Jhoola Ghar in Mussoorie and expected to complete in the next couple of months. Well-established sources revealed that the department is also planning to underground transmission lines from Clock Tower to Mussoorie diversion for ensuring the disruption free electricity even during the inclement weather.
One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that couple of plans is in the pipeline for improving distribution work in the length and breadth of the state. “ The inclement weather is always proved hurdle for supplying the round the clock electricity to the consumers especially in the mountainous parts of the State,” he said, adding that resumption of electricity takes place only after rectifying the technical snags on the lines which is time consuming procedures.
He claimed that lines and street lights would be underground from Clock Tower to Mussoorie diversion for not only beautification but also for supplying the round the clock electricity to the consumers.