NDMC to lay 'common utility ducts' to lessen digging woes

Damage to city roads due to frequent digging by various agencies can be a thing of the past with the NDMC planning to launch a novel project to construct underground 'common utility ducts'.

Damage to city roads due to frequent digging by various agencies can be a thing of the past with the NDMC planning to launch a novel project to construct underground 'common utility ducts'.

HT Image

The underground ducts along the roads will carry all public utility cables like that of water, electricity, telephone or gas, making the repairing or wiring work easier.

Separate lines for each service lead to frequent digging by the agencies concerned if they want to lay cables or carry out other works.

However, the common duct will have separate access points for all services and there will be no need for digging trenches and resurfacing the roads, officials said. It will help in reducing damage to the roads, they said.

"As a pilot project, we will introduce it on the roads where streetscaping and beautification work is being taken up. If the concept is successful, it will be extended to all NDMC areas," New Delhi Municipal Council Chairman Parimal Rai said.

There will be separate manholes for accessing each of the utility cables, he said.

The eight roads where the project will be taken up in a pilot basis include Sardar Patel Marg, Baba Kharak Singh Marg and Tees January Marg in central Delhi.