Despite huge efforts Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) has failed to start physical work on taking overhead cables underground in the Dhanmondi area as planned with the utility officials blaming it on the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC). “We had full preparation to start the job in September last as per plan. But we did not receive permission from DSCC to dig the streets to lay our cables and install other equipment”, said a top official of the DPDC. He, however, said they have been receiving good cooperation from the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) to replace the overhead cable with underground one. "That's why we have been able to implement another similar project from the city’s Jahangir Gate in Cantonment to Bangabhaban, the presidential palace”, he said adding that cables were already laid from Jahangir Gate to Farmgate area. According to official sources, the DPDC had undertaken a huge project of Tk20,500 crore, funded by China, to take its overhead electricity lines underground as part of a mega plan to ensure an uninterrupted, safe, secured electricity supply to its part in Dhaka city. “Making the views beautiful by removing the ugly and hazardous cables is another main objective of the project”, said Bikash Dewan, managing director of the DPDC. He also said the overhead cables from Jahangir Gate to Bangabhaban via Karwan Bazar-Kakrail-Fakirapool-Dainik Bangla crossing will disappear once the project is completed. He appreciated DNCC for cooperation to implement this project as other utilities like internet and TV cable operators have showed positive attitudes to join the project. About the failure to start the job in Dhanmondi area in September, Bikash said he is hopeful of settling some issues with DSCC to convince it to give the nod to dig the streets and start the physical work of the project. READ: Much-hyped work on underground cabling in Dhanmondi set to start in Sept “I think, during next few meetings we would be able to settle the issue with the DSCC”, he told UNB. At present, a number of utility bodies including Desco, DPDC, cable TV operators and internet service providers (ISPs) and state-owned land phone operator BDCL use overhead cables to reach their services to consumers. All these utilities hang their respective cables in the same poles used by the electricity supply company which creates an eyesore and carries a risk of accidents, including fire. “Indiscriminate network of such cables not only undermines the beauty of the city, but it also poses a big threat of accidents including catching of fire”, said a city resident. The DPDC officials said their mega scheme also includes setting up 40 substations in the city and moving overhead cables of Hatirjheel Lake underground. Taking overhead cables underground from Jahangir gate in Cantonment to Motijheel is also included in DPDC’s other similar project. Earlier, DPDC completed its design and plan to implement its proposed underground cabling project to make the city free from overhead power cables. “Already, some of the equipment reached the country and some are on the way,” he said, adding that pole-mounted transformers will be replaced with box-type transformers under the project. READ: Desco’s underground cabling plan misses JICA deadline for its own fault Some 36 box-type transformers, 296 of 6-way ring main units (RMU), 34 of 3-way RMUs and 130 LV Cabinet will be installed to facilitate the underground cabling system, Bikash said. DPDC officials said the project was supposed to kick off in January 2020. But the Chinese engineers who were responsible for designing the works got stuck in their hometown Wuhan following the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

An ambitious plan by Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd to send the overhead electric cables underground in the city’s posh areas has to wait. How long? Not even the utility company has an answer. And it has itself to blame for the uncertainty over the Tk. 240 crore-project. The company has failed to meet its March 30 deadline to place its proposal to the funding agency Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Also read: Dhaka’s overhead power cables finally to go underground The company had planned to take its all overhead electric cables underground in the Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara and Badda areas following directives from the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.