Patna's Underground Power Cabling Project Accelerates for Modern Infrastructure
In a significant move to modernize the city's power infrastructure and enhance its visual appeal, the Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (PESU) has ramped up underground cabling efforts under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). This ambitious Rs 328-crore project aims to shift overhead power lines underground across key areas of the state capital, with a target completion date of July 2027.
Steady Progress in Key Locations
PESU general manager Dilip Kumar Singh reported that work is progressing steadily, with notable advancements in and around Gandhi Maidan. Significant progress has been made near Gandhi Maidan, including areas surrounding the commissioner's office and the DM's office, where LT (low tension) and 11 kV lines have already been laid underground. Additionally, the 33 kV high-voltage line passing through Chhajjubagh near the Patna Museum has been fully converted to underground cabling.
The 33 kV line from the Planetarium to SK Memorial Hall via Chhajjubagh is nearly complete, with only minor finishing and termination work pending before the overhead wires are removed. Underground cabling work around Dak Bungalow Chouraha and the road leading to Patna Junction is set to commence in the next three to four days, as surveys and detailed mapping for this stretch have been finalized. Work in this area was previously paused due to Ram Navami festivities.
Comprehensive Infrastructure Upgrades
Singh explained that the underground network will consist of three categories of cables: 33 kV, 11 kV, and LT, all installed beneath the ground. The project also involves the installation of ground-mounted equipment, such as:
- Service pillars
- Feeder pillars for LT distribution
- LT panels
- Ring Main Units
These components are designed to facilitate quicker fault detection and faster power restoration, thereby improving overall service reliability.
Current Achievements and Future Plans
Of the total 95 km of 33 kV lines planned for underground conversion across the city, approximately 15–16 km have been completed to date. All 33 kV lines will be taken underground across Patna, with most areas also seeing 11 kV lines undergrounded, and LT lines shifted underground in select stretches. Around 10–11 km of 11 kV lines have already been laid underground after proper mapping, while 26 km of 11 kV bare conductors have been replaced with insulated covered wires.
In terms of transformer upgrades, out of 225 transformers proposed to be upgraded from 200 kVA to 315 kVA, about 130–135 have already been replaced. Furthermore, four new 33/11 kV power substations, each with a capacity of 20 MVA, are under construction and expected to become operational within the next two to two-and-a-half months. Additionally, 62 compact 990 kVA transformers will be installed at various locations to optimize power supply.
Broader Impact and Technological Approach
The project aims to strengthen the power distribution network, enhance transformer capacity, reduce power cuts, and curb electricity theft through the implementation of underground cabling. PESU plans to make entire stretches around Gandhi Maidan, Dak Bungalow, Exhibition Road, Fraser Road, SP Verma Road, Boring Road, and nearby areas free of overhead wires. Similar underground cabling of 11 kV lines is also underway in other parts of the city, including Patna City, Danapur, Khemnichak, and the Bypass area.
Efforts are being made to complete major digging and cabling work before the monsoon season. Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) technology is being employed with proper coordination among departments to avoid damage to existing infrastructure, such as telephone lines and gas pipelines.
Expected Outcomes
Once completed by July 2027, the project is anticipated to significantly improve the reliability of power supply and lend a cleaner, more aesthetic look to Patna's major roads and heritage zones, marking a transformative step in the city's urban development.
