Power cables to go down under

Delhi government has asked the power distribution companies to remove the overhead cables from major roads and some congested areas.

Delhi government has asked the power distribution companies to remove the overhead cables from major roads and some congested areas.

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Delhi’s Finance and Urban Development Minister Dr A.K. Walia on Wednesday said the overhead lines crossing the main roads were giving Delhi a shabby look.

“They are an eyesore… not in tune with our vision of making Delhi a world class city,” Walia said.

The issue of conversion of overhead power lines into underground ones goes back a long way.

For over a year now discom BSES has been seeking funding from the government for laying underground power cables in the Walled City, Paharganj and Karol Bagh.

To escape funding of these works, discoms usually cite an ancient provision called Rule 82 of the Electricity Act, which says that the agency proposing the removal of overhead wires must bear the cost of the work.

But earlier this month, the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission ordered the discoms to carry out expenditure on their
own to remove the overhead wires at select areas.

Now, three discoms are to spend Rs 50 crore each in the first phase of work and turn the overhead wires underground.