AP to get underground electrical cables soon

TIRUPATI: Electric wires in Andhra Pradesh is all set to go underground. APSPDCL is inviting tenders for the same. Work was initiated in Vizag under APEPDCL. The electricity department has estimated Rs 360 crore for underground electrical cable works in Tirupati smart city region.

Laying of the aforementioned cables are 10 times more expensive than overhead cables which is currently in use. Officials feel that the maintenance costs and technical and commercial losses will come down drastically if  cables are laid underground as it will benefit the distribution companies.

People in these areas will not experience power cuts even in heavy rains and cyclones. The World bank will fund the project at Tirupati. Vizag has already initiated the cabling work with the World Bank fund allotted by the Central Government when cyclone Hud-Hud struck.

Many problems that the distribution companies and people are facing with the overhead wires will reduce with these cables.

When there are heavy rains there is always a  power cut by the power distributers to avoid accidents caused when the cables get cut. In some areas, rewiring takes hours when tress fall on the electrical cables. These will not be a problem if these cables turn into a reality.

The distribution companies will also benefit in many ways. The companies are having technical losses and commercial losses of six to seven percent. The transportation of power consumes energy which is considered as technical loss. The thieving of electricity and meters failing to work come under commercial losses.

Speaking to this correspondent, Chairman, MD of APSPDCL H.Y. Dora said, "If we reduce one percent of loss we save Rs 200 crore. If underground cables are laid then no one can steal power. We will also be able to protect them underground with a duct. Along with the main cable a standby cable will be installed for emergency purposes if the main line doesn't work."