Completion of project to provide power distribution system akin to developed nations
Monday, 25 NOVEMBER 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) is expediting the task of undergrounding overhead power lines on the main roads of Dehradun city as part of an Asian Development Bank project. This is part of the measures being taken to make the power distribution system stronger and better. The successful completion of this project will strengthen the power distribution system of Dehradun city and bring it on par with that in European and developed nations, the officials claimed. Under this project, about 92 kilometres of 33 KV power lines and 230 kilometres of 11 KV power lines- totalling to about 608 kilometres are being undergrounded in the city. Dehradun has been divided into three lots for this purpose. Following surveys and securing permission for road cutting, the process of undergrounding the power lines is being undertaken in a phased manner. Officials informed that the first lot includes the stretches from Dilaram Chowk to Mussoorie Diversion, Survey Chowk to Sahastradhara Crossing, Darshanlal Chowk to Prince Chowk and GDMC hospital, Kishannagar Chowk to Hotel Ramada, Aragarh Chowk-Fountain Chowk-Rispana bridge and Araghar Chowk-Dharampur to Rispana bridge, among others. The second lot includes the stretches from Hotel Ramada to Ballupur Chowk, Ballupur Chowk to Transportnagar Chowk, Lakkhibagh to Graphic Era Chowk, Kamala Palace hotel to Niranjanpur Chowk and Shimla bypass to Saint Jude Chowk, among others. Similarly, the third lot includes the stretches from the Vidhan Sabha area to Rispana bridge to Mohkampur flyover, Ladput to Chhe Number Puliya to Jogiwala, Fountain Chowk to Chhe Number Puliya to Dobhal Chowk, DEAL to Ladpur, Mayur Vihar to IT Park and IT Park to Krishali Chowk, among others. The undergrounding work is also being undertaken at locations of emergency services on these routes including the district hospital, GDMC hospital, Shri Mahant Indiresh hospital, IMA blood bank and the Kailash hospital.
The undergrounding of the overhead power lines will result in various benefits. The underground lines are less affected by environmental factors like strong winds, heavy rain and tree branches which decreases outage and reduces the maintenance expense. Underground cables can be designed with better insulation and less resistance which can enable reduction in power loss compared to overhead lines. Such lines also enhance safety by drastically reducing the risk of electrocution and fire caused by fallen power lines. The undergrounding of power lines will also check the problem of electricity pilferage in addition to enhancing the appearance of residential and other city areas. This will also benefit the environment as underground lines do not require regular pruning of trees and other steps for managing the flora as needed for overhead lines. The UPCL managing director has instructed all the officials to expedite the work of undergrounding the power lines. According priority to safety standards, ditches, drains and other such features should be filled daily after completion of the work.
