Gurgaon: NHAI starts work to shift overhead power lines underground at Iffco Chowk

The high tension lines were impeding the construction of a ramp on the U-turn in a roughly 200-metre area, from Delhi to Gurgaon

Decks have been cleared to shift hanging overhead transmission (HT) line underground and make way for the construction of an elevated U-turn underway on the National Highway near ABW Tower at Iffco Chowk.

Gurgaon, India - Oct. 15, 2017: NHAI starts construction near Iffco Chowk for laying high transmission wires underground, in Gurgaon, India, on Sunday, October 15, 2017. (Photo by Sanjeev Verma/ Hindustan Times) (Sanjeev Verma/HT PHOTO)

The HT line was impeding construction of a ramp of the U-turn in a roughly 200-metre area, from Delhi to Gurgaon.

The line belongs to Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) needed permission for its removal or shifting from alignment of the U-turn. In the absence of adequate space or land for shifting the line, there was little headway on whether the overhead cables should be buried under the surface. The HVPN took nearly nine months to allow the NHAI to put the cables underground through a duct of roughly 400 metres.

“Construction of the duct is under way and we are thankful to the HVPN for allowing us to resume the work that was delayed by several months. The cost of the project is estimated at ₹34 crore and duct will be ready in less than a month,” Ashok Kumar Sharma, project director, NHAI, said.

About a year ago, the NHAI had submitted its plan to the Haryana government for removal of high tension line and other utilities falling in alignment of underpasses, flyover and elevated U-turns at Iffco Chowk, Signature Tower, Rajiv Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk.

NHAI officials said the elevated U-turn construction is complete except in the portion the high transmission wires — along the Delhi Gurgaon Expressway.

There are 12 such tall towers (electricity poles) of high transmission line that are on the left of NH-8 near Iffco Chowk for those heading from Delhi to Gurgaon.

“We submitted a revised estimate to the NHAI a week ago,” Anil Yadav, superintending engineer, HVPN, said.

Gurgaon traffic problem is a big challenge for the local administration and also for the state government. Earlier on July 10, Rajesh Khullar, principal secretary to Haryana government, had asked the local administration to remove wires before July 31 and pursued the same on priority.