The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has decided to go for underground cabling of electric wires in Shillong, Tura and Jowai.
Informing the reporters about the decision on Thursday, Meghalaya power minister James PK Sangma said the work will be started as a pilot project and it would help improve the aesthetic looks of Shillong city and towns.
Sangma said the laying of electric wires underground would help prevent incidents of electrocution and electric wires touching with each other, especially when strong wind occurs posing risk to the citizens.
“To reduce unfortunate incidents of electrocution, and due to no fencing of transformers or exposed wiring, we have decided to go for 100% underground cabling in Shillong, Tura and Jowai,” power minister Sangma said.
“We have also decided to replace old wires with aerial-bunched cables in rural areas in the ADB phase -11 program,” the power minister said.
“The aerial-bunched cables will be insulated and hence mitigate almost all risks and also reduce theft. This will not only reduce dangers but also ensure the aesthetic beauty of the city,” the minister said.
At present, Shillong city is criss-crossed with overhead lines for both transmission and distribution of power.