By OUR STAFF REPORTER
Dehradun, 24 Nov: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and with the cooperation of the Secretary (Energy), UPCL is working diligently to make Uttarakhand an “Energy State”. To strengthen and enrich the state’s power distribution network, UPCL is swiftly completing the undergrounding of overhead electric lines along the main roads of Dehradun city under an ADB project.
As part of this initiative, approximately 92 km of 33 kV, 230 km of 11 kV, and 608 km of LT lines are being undergrounded across Dehradun city. The city has been divided into three lots for efficient execution of the work. After the completion of surveys and joint surveys by the regional teams for all the lots, road cutting permissions have been obtained, and the undergrounding work is being carried out in phases.
Lot one includes Dilaram Chowk to Mussoorie Diversion, Survey Chowk to Sahastradhara Crossing, Darshanlal Chowk to Prince Chowk and Doon Hospital, Kishannagar Chowk to Ramada Hotel, Araghar Chowk to Fountain Chowk to Rispana Bridge, Araghar Chowk to Dharmpur to Rispana Bridge, and others.
Lot two includes Ramada Hotel to Ballupur Chowk, Ballupur Chowk to Transport Nagar Chowk, Lakhibagh to Graphic Era Chowk, Kamla Palace to Niranjanpur Chowk, Shimla Bypass to St Jude’s Chowk, and others.
Lot three includes Vidhan Sabha Area to Rispana Bridge to Mohkhampur Flyover, Ladpur to No. 6 Bridge to Jogiwala, Fountain Chowk to No. 6 Bridge to Dobhal Chowk, DEAL to Ladpur, Mayur Vihar to IT Park, IT Park to Krishali Chowk, and others.
Emergency locations such as Coronation Hospital, Doon Hospital, Mahant Indresh Hospital, IMA Blood Bank, and Kailash Hospital are also part of the undergrounding work.
The undergrounding of electric lines in the main roads of Dehradun city will provide the following benefits – Lower Maintenance: Underground cables are less affected by environmental factors like wind, heavy rain, and tree branches, reducing outages and lowering maintenance costs.
Reduced Power Losses: Underground cables can be designed with better insulation and lower resistance, resulting in less energy loss compared to overhead lines.
Increased Safety: Underground cables significantly reduce the risk of electric shocks and fires caused by fallen power lines.
Aesthetic Improvement: Undergrounding the power lines enhances the aesthetic appeal of residential and urban areas.
Reduction in Electricity Theft: The presence of underground cables will reduce the occurrence of power theft.
Reduced Risk of Accidents: Underground cables minimise the risk of accidental contact with power lines by vehicles, wildlife, or construction activities.
Environmental Benefits: Undergrounding power lines eliminates the need for regular tree trimming and other vegetation management required for overhead lines, benefiting the environment.
The Managing Director has instructed all officials to complete the undergrounding work promptly, ensuring that safety standards are prioritised and that potholes and trenches are regularly filled after work is completed. The successful implementation of this plan will make Dehradun’s electricity distribution network as robust and resilient as those in European and developed countries.
