GET THEM UNDERGROUND: A maze of wires above the road in Secunderabad. — Photo: K. Ramesh

HYDERABAD: The city will have to wait for some more time before it goes for complete underground electricity cabling.

The project, initiated a year ago by the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL), did pick up but after laying 125 kilometres of cable (63 kilometres in phase I and 62 kilometres in phase II) and after investing Rs. 35 crores, the work has slackened.

Woes

Lack of funds, limited working hours available and restrictions on road cutting in certain areas by the Roads & Buildings Department are adding to the woes of APCPDCL.

In fact, the company has abandoned the work on routes falling under R&B's purview for the time being. These routes include the highways in and around the city.

K.H. Ghulam Ahmed, Director (Projects & P&MM), said that R&B wants the company to go for horizontal cutting of road, which is difficult, as it will interfere with water works and sewage lines. Restriction on the depth for laying the cables is another issue.

Staggering cost

The company has got a sanction of Rs. 230 crores from the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) for laying 350 kilometres of underground cables in the city. The cables include 11 KV and low tension wires.

However, if the entire city needs to be covered, it will cost a staggering Rs. 3,000 crores.

Besides, it is a time consuming process that could take five years.

The APCPDCL also has to deal with non-cooperation of the public. According to Mr. Ahmed, they faced problems in putting up Ring Main Units (RMUs), especially in the old city, as people objected to the RMUs in front of their shops.

The APCPDCL has laid underground cables from Police Control Room to Charminar via Afzalgunj and Naya Pul.

The actual working time is confined to four hours - between midnight and 4 a.m. - when the traffic is negligible.

The use of compressors was something that the general public objects to in the night, he said.

While underground cabling will ensure reliable power system, aesthetic look and freedom from interruptions caused due to strong winds and rains, it has its disadvantages too.

The cost of fault rectification, if any, will be 10 times more than over-head wiring and will also be more time consuming. Also, during road widening, the shifting of cables will be a hassle and will require time.

Aerial Bunch cabling is another option with the company.

The advantage of this will be that fault rectification will be faster.

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