Overhead power cables could be a thing of the past in three years. Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (Bescom) will start laying 18,900 kilometres of underground power cables in April at a cost of Rs 4,500 crore.
The utility agency has invited tenders for laying 6,900 km of low-tension (LT) and 12,000 km of high-tension (HT) lines across the city. The project was announced in the last state budget.
Work has already begun in Whitefield, HSR Layout, Peenya and some core areas of the city. Bescom officials made a presentation before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and citizens at a public hearing on Monday.
Bescom Managing Director C Shikha said underground cables had already been laid in 30% of the city. The project would cover the rest. The list of areas where the cables would be laid, the work module and other details are ready. On TenderSURE roads, Bescom will optimally utilise the ducts for laying the power cables, she added.
Bescom is also building its own communication system by laying optical fibre cables to know the lapses and carry out the maintenance of the power cables. Calling it the cheapest way of carrying out maintenance works, Shikha said they would also be able to assess the smart metre data.
Bescom can outsource the laying of OFCs to other government agencies such as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, the police or private companies. The OFCs could then be rented.