After failing to begin work on its ambitious project of conversion of existing overhead lines into underground system in the city, the Chandigarh Administration has once again initiated the process for the implementation of the new system.
The project which was mooted nearly two years back in 2017 is yet to begin on ground with the UT Administration failing to find any bidder for the project in the past.
The ambitious project of developing ‘underground cabling system’ is proposed to begin in Sector 8 with an investment of around Rs 18 crore. If the project is implemented successfully in Sector 8, the Administration has planned to extend it to the entire city under the Chandigarh Electricity’s Department 20-year roadmap for improving power infrastructure here.
The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) had already accorded approval for the project.
“The Electricity Department has floated tender to hire a firm to begin work on the shifting of existing overhead HT/LT lines into underground system and replacement or augmentation of equipments of 11 KV sub-station and street light system in Sector 8 here,” said a senior official of Chandigarh Administration.
He said that the time for completion of project in Sector 8 is six months.
The Department had chosen Sector 8 for the underground system as the existing infrastructure there is around five decades old and it often breaks down during peak power demand especially in summer season. Conversion into underground system will help to reduce the losses and faults thereby improving the reliability of power supply, the officer added.
Notably, the proposal to convert the overhead transmission wires system into underground was mooted with an aim to improve the power transmission system in Chandigarh.
During strong winds or storm, overhead transmission wires that carry power to homes in Chandigarh often get entangled in trees or poles, resulting in power cuts. Besides, the project is expected to reduce chances of electrocution in areas where the high-voltage cable pass close to terraces of houses.
Apart from this, the UT Electricity Department has planned revamping the power distribution system by replacement of the old network of electrical wires and installation of four transformers in other parts of the city.
Recently, the Administration had also revived a four-year-old proposal for restructuring the Electricity Department by turning it into a corporation. And, a consultant will soon be hired to prepare a comprehensive proposal in this regard.