The Raja Marga or Dasara procession route in Mysuru will soon shed high-tension overhead electricity wires as part of an underground cabling project taken up by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) Ltd.
The 5-km stretch from Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar (Hardinge) Circle to Bannimantap passing through Albert Victor Road, K.R. Circle and Sayyaji Rao Road will be free of the cables. “We have already executed a portion of the work, and awaiting permission from Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) to take up the remaining work,” a CESC official told The Hindu . About 165 km of high tension distribution lines of 11 KV will go underground in Mysuru city under the Centre’s Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP).
Ducts for underground cables had been created along the Raja Marga and electricity cables had gone underground, wherever possible, an official added. Though the proposal was approved over four years ago, delay in its execution had drawn flak from elected representatives.
A senior MCC official, who confirmed that CESC had submitted a proposal to the civic body, said the electricity supply company will be given permission to start digging along the road as soon as they deposit ₹20 crore. As part of the R-APDRP project, the high-tension cables will go underground also in parts of V.V. Mohalla, Jyothinagar, Chamundipuram, and NR Mohalla electricity sub-divisions.
Superintending Engineer of CESC Mysuru zone, N. Narasimhegowda, said underground cables along the Raja Marga will help uninterrupted power to sensitive institutions like K.R. Hospital. Even if there is disruption in power from one station, it becomes easier to supply power from alternative stations if cables are underground, he added.
Underground electricity cables not only ensures fewer disruptions, particularly when trees or branches fall on power lines, but also prevents mishaps and lends visual aesthetics to thoroughfares.
