Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited is nearing completion of its ambitious plan to lay high-tension wires across the city underground. As per data shared by BESCOM, it has set up around 6,600 km of high-tension lines underground out of nearly 7,033 km. Though the project is resulting in multiple power cuts, BESCOM assured citizens that it is only due to the cabling work and will reduce in a few months. The UG cabling project aims to convert the 11kV High Tension (HT) wires to UG cables and the other Low Tension (LT) cables to AB cables.

March 20, 2023

Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) recently shared data mentioning that it has set up around 6,600 km of high-tension lines underground out of nearly 7,033 km, as a part of the company’s plan of laying high-tension wires across the city underground. The UG cabling project aims to convert the 11kV High Tension (HT) wires to UG cables and the other Low Tension (LT) cables to AB cables. The project had an initial deadline of August 2022. “We have had problems with completing the project only in a few areas because we have not been able to get road-cutting permissions and an opportunity to survey the area, thanks to a host of ongoing infrastructural works. Apart from this, the majority of the work has been completed,” a senior BESCOM official said.

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In the beginning of the project, BESCOM claimed that converting the cables would result in uninterrupted power supply. However, despite turning over 90% of the cables, citizens have complained about power cuts being as common as last summer. BESCOM sources received thousands of complaints with regard to daily power supply interruption, which they claim will reduce in the next few months. “The underground cabling work results in power interruptions. Since the works are in progress in a few areas, the improvement (in power supply) may not have been felt,” a senior official said. The official also said underground cabling will significantly reduce accidents. “Earlier, there were instances where people would come in contact with the lines during the rainy season and this would lead to electrocution. Such accidents can now be avoided”, the official explained.