By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi’s Planning and Urban Development Minister A.K. Walia Friday asked power companies to complete the work on conversion of overhead power lines into underground network by July to ensure better image of the city during Commonwealth Games in October.
However, the amount sanctioned to the power companies — BSES Yamuna, BSES Rajdhani and North Delhi Power Ltd (NDPL) — by the Delhi Electricity Commission (DERC) was not enough for the purpose, Walia said, asking state power department to provide funds to complete the work in time.
While emerging from a meeting to review status of the work, Walia said there should also be better coordination between power companies and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) for the timely completion of the work.
“The project will make overhead lines a thing of the past and go a long way in overcoming electrocution due to break in overhead lines which are also found to be clogged due to kite-flying,” Walia said.
He said areas like Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, Karol Bagh and Daryaganj should be covered on a priority basis, while special attention should be given to areas which will be visited by large number of tourists during the Games scheduled Oct 3-14.
The minister said the conversion work will provide another advantage to the power companies as it will do away with the cutting and trimming of trees, which is done every year. It will be an environment-friendly step, he added.