Tangedco takes up work to send all power cables underground in Chennai

CHENNAI: Residents in several of the city’s suburban and extended areas including parts of OMR may no more have to worry about frequent power cuts or fear stepping on a snapped power cable during the rainy season, as Tangedco has taken up work in full swing to send all lines underground.
Officials said work is under way in many divisions including Tambaram, Perumbur, Adyar, IT corridor and Avadi. The cables are being laid using trenchless technology to minimise damage to the roads, save cost and time.
A Tangedco official said 70% of the work is completed in Tambaram and Perambur divisions, while work has either started or is underway in the other areas. Areas like Perumbur, Villivakkam, Taramani, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery will also be covered. All exposed cables and poles are making way for prefabricated cement pillars and pillar boxes to provide individual electricity connection. “Work in most of these areas started last year. It will take one more year to complete,” the official said. “Underground cable installation costs five times more than overhead cable besides high cost for maintenance and more time for rectification. But cables underground can avoid accidents, reduce power interruption during rain, which often happens with overhead cables that trips, and faults happen very rarely. When installed using good quality material, they last for a minimum 25 years,” the official added.
Satish, a resident of Sholinganallur said the underground cable laying has finally commenced in Semmenchery, after the project was announced by the state government in 2019, last month and would bring a huge relief for residents from frequent power cuts that occur due to the power lines' exposure to elements.