The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) plans to replace the overhanging electricity cables with an underground network in extended areas of the city in the coming months.
For the project, the Tambaram division in south and Perambur division in north Chennai have been selected for the pilot project.
The highlight will be the use of trenchless technology to lay the underground lines.
Already, telecom companies use the technology and Tangedco plans to use it widely, officials said.
Tangedco has set apart a budget of ₹2,500 crore for shifting to the underground power network.
In the Perambur division, Tangedco will cover areas such as Kodungaiyur, Poompuhar Nagar, Kolathur, Sembium, Villivakkam and Retteri.
In the Tambaram division, areas such as Medavakkam, Selaiyur, Rajakilpakkam and Madambakkam have been identified, officials said.
Tender floated
Tangedco floated a tender last month for fixing the contractor to execute the pilot work and was in the process of identifying the contractor, an official said.
The trenchless technology has already been used for laying underground electricity cables in T. Nagar and Mylapore.
The trenchless route is being taken as, the power utility, otherwise, has to get permission from the Chennai Corporation to cut roads and pay road-cutting charges.
Also, digging of the roads created potholes, an official said.
Overhead power lines in the extended areas beyond the city give a cluttered look.
Also, electricity poles that support the overhead power lines cause hindrance during repaving and widening, said a senior Tangedco official, explaining the circumstances that prompted them to go underground.
