GUWAHATI: The Assam government has approved the ₹177.46-crore Central Guwahati Underground Cabling Project, aimed at replacing the existing overhead power network with an underground system across key urban corridors.
ALSO READ: Overhead Power Wires in Key Guwahati Roads to Go Underground Under ₹177-Crore Project
The project, funded from savings under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) Loss Reduction Project, will cover approximately 18 km across five priority corridors in Central Guwahati.
The identified stretches include Paltanbazar, AT Road, MG Road, GS Road up to GMCH, and GS Road from Bhangagarh to Dispur Secretariat.
Under the project, the existing 33 kV, 11 kV and Low Tension (LT) overhead networks will be shifted underground. The modernised network is expected to improve the reliability and continuity of power supply, with provisions for rerouting electricity in the event of faults to limit the impact of outages.
The underground system is also expected to reduce the vulnerability of power infrastructure to storms and flooding, improve public safety and address overhead power-line clutter along major city corridors.
The network has been designed to accommodate a projected annual load growth of around 8 per cent, with the aim of strengthening Guwahati’s power infrastructure for future demand.
The government has directed the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) to coordinate with the Traffic Police, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and other concerned agencies.
Statutory clearances have been directed to be completed in a time-bound manner, while execution will require appropriate traffic management and public-safety measures to minimise inconvenience to commuters and residents.
