Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka reviews Bengaluru’s underground power cabling by BESCOM

Hyderabad: In a move to accelerate Telangana’s urban infrastructure modernisation, deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu visited Bengaluru on Tuesday to review the large-scale underground power cabling initiative undertaken by the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM).

The visit was part of Telangana’s broader efforts to enhance the reliability, safety and aesthetics of power supply systems in rapidly growing metropolitan areas.

The day began with a high-level review meeting led by BESCOM officials. Presentations were made by Pankaj Pandey, managing director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) and BESCOM, outlining the scope and progress of the Overhead (OH) to Underground (UG) Power Conversion Project—hailed as one of the most comprehensive urban power infrastructure transformations in India.

What is the Overhead to Underground Power Conversion Project?

Launched in 2018–19, the project has successfully converted over 7,400 km of 11kV overhead lines and thousands of km of low-tension lines into underground or aerial bunched (AB) cables. A notable feature has been the inclusion of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) ducts alongside UG cable routes to enable future telecom infrastructure leasing.

During the review, the deputy CM raised questions regarding the project’s financial model—funded by institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Rural Electrification Corporation (REC), and public sector banks—as well as its impact on reducing technical losses and electrical accidents. BESCOM officials noted a 2 per cent drop in both since the UG implementation.

Telangana’s urban grid modernisation programs

Other points of discussion included the commercial readiness of OFC infrastructure and the role of Ring Main Units (RMUs) in enhancing grid reliability and reducing downtime during faults.

The deputy CM lauded BESCOM’s execution discipline and emphasised the importance of integrating these best practices into Telangana’s upcoming urban grid modernisation programs, particularly the ambitious ‘Future City’ initiative.

Deputy CM visits underground power distribution network

Later, the deputy CM visited a pilot site at 15th Cross, Malleshwaram, where an underground distribution network—including a fully buried transformer (DTR) system—has been implemented. The setup, with accessible maintenance panels at street level, demonstrated how modern power systems can improve urban safety and free up public space.

At the site, the deputy CM interacted with engineers and contractors, reviewing safety measures, load balancing strategies, and emergency response protocols. He remarked that such innovations hold significant promise for Telangana’s densely populated urban corridors.