Discom approves plan to shift wires underground

The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam (DHBVN) on Monday finally approved a proposal to put wires underground along Sohna road.

The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitaran Nigam (DHBVN) on Monday finally approved a proposal to put wires underground along Sohna road.

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The approval puts to rest residents’ concerns over safety as 11,000-volt cables run along the 5.5-km stretch at present.

“The chief engineer (CE) of DHBVN approved the proposal on Saturday. It would cost Rs 30 crore. For the first time, the DHBVN and the Haryana Urban Development Authority (Huda) have planned a project together,” said Sanjiv Chopra, superintendent engineer, DHBVN.

He added that the Huda, the custodian authority of Sohna Road, will bear the total cost.

The DHBVN will invite tenders for preparing a detailed project report (DPR).

“The Huda will have to deposit the amount before a tender is floated as per an agreement,” added Chopra.

Till now, the Huda had been blaming the DHBVN for delaying the project. The approved proposal will finally reach the civic body on Monday.

On being asked if the Huda will seek any observation in the R30-crore project, Arun Dhankhar, executive engineer (EE), Huda electrical, said, “We will comment on the matter only after we get the approved proposal from the DHBVN.”

The cables were laid temporarily to cater to the power needs of the Sohna Road locality, residents say.

After the completion of this project, the Huda may replicate the model — part of beautification of the city under Master Plan 2031 — in other parts of the city.

Though the Haryana Urban Development Authority Master Plan 2012 has provision for an underground cable system but the said stretch was chosen only about two years ago.