Ludhiana: A Rs 99-crore infrastructure initiative by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to untangle and elevate dangerous overhead cables has stalled, leaving vast sections of the city vulnerable to electrical accidents as the rainy season approaches.
Project Approval and Initial Work
Approved in January, the project aimed to systematically reorganize or remove low-hanging electricity, fiber-optic, and telephone cables across Ludhiana's high-density commercial and residential sectors. While initial crews cleared lines in upscale areas like Ghumar Mandi, Rani Jhansi Road, College Road, and Civil Lines, residents report that unauthorized cables have already returned to their previous chaotic state.
Delays in Old City Areas
Meanwhile, high-traffic commercial zones in the old city, including Bhadaur House, Chaura Bazar, Gur Mandi, and Lalu Mal Gali, have yet to see any work begin.
"I navigate these streets daily with my cart and constantly dodge low-hanging power lines," said local vendor Shorri. "These are incredibly congested markets. With the monsoon rains coming, the utility department must act immediately to prevent fatal electrocutions." Local business owners have accused the state corporation of prioritizing affluent neighborhoods while ignoring the vulnerable, narrow arteries of the old city where the risk of short-circuits and fires is significantly higher.
"The department focused on the posh areas, but even there, the webs of wires are reappearing," said local merchant Ravi. "The tightly packed wholesale markets should have been the absolute priority."
Project Execution and Management Issues
The project was originally slated to be executed in two distinct phases backed by 20 separate municipal tenders. However, internal management appears to have broken down, with utility leadership unable to provide a firm completion date.
A senior PSPCL official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, admitted that specific project deadlines are currently unavailable.
"The project structure was finalized in January, but I will need to consult with our field engineers to determine why implementation has stalled and when the remaining zones will be cleared," the official said.
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