How safe are underground cables in Chennai?

The extensive damage to the power infrastructure in Chennai during the natural calamities in recent years has made changes to the setup a pressing need. With power cut off in many parts during the floods of 2015 and the week-long power outage during Cyclone Vardah in 2016 are still fresh in the minds of the residents as the rainy season in Tamil Nadu looms large. 

The tangle of overhead cables that have become symbolic of the power infrastructure in many areas particularly the suburbs is soon to get an overhaul according to the officials in-charge. The underground cables that will be laid in their place will be look to improve safety and avoid low voltage. 

Questions however emerge on how safe the underground cables are, with reported instances of death due to exposed wiring as recent as November last year when two young girls were electrocuted by an exposed cable submerged in water. Officials are quick to assure that safety and preparedness for monsoons are their top priority.

“Underground cabling is much more secure than overheard cables. Overhead cables are exposed to the elements and also run into issues with trees or the movement of large vehicles. There is no such issue here,” said an official from Tangedco when contacted by DT Next.

 Despite promises made last year by electricity Minister P Thangamani that Chennai would be overhead cable free by 2019, work has yet to begin in many areas in Chennai. Areas around Perambur and Tambaram are likely to get underground cables only when the work is set to commence in a phases manner from October and is expected to take two years to complete. 

Kishore, a resident of Hasthinapuram, is not swayed by the recent developments - “We have been waiting for this to happen for many years. The rest of the city has switched to underground cables while we continue to live in fear of what will happen during the rains. Even in Kolathur the work was started with much fanfare then stopped.” Officials in Tangedco said that around 90 per cent  of the overhead cables have been converted to underground lines in the city and that work will soon be undertaken in the suburban areas, especially those that were part of the expansion of the Corporation in 2011.  Financial support of Rs 2,566 crore has been extended by the Central government’s Power Finance Corporation for the conversion of both high and low tension lines.

On the safety record of underground cables and how they detect any damages, Superintending Engineer Russell, of the Chennai Development Circle, Tangedco said, “We carry out regular pre-monsoon inspection once a year in all areas. We check all the cables, transformers, pillar boxes before the rains to ensure no defects are present.” 

A fault detection kit is used by the officials to ascertain any possible leakages and detect the spot at which the leakage is located in the underground cables. In addition to this, the general public can also lodge complaints with regard to exposed wires or cables through a dedicated WhatsApp number or through the central complaint number. The Assistant Engineer of the respective location or the fuse off call office could also be contacted to notify of any potential dangers.

 

With Tangedco to adopt trenchless technology, there under cables are also less likely to cause damage to roads. An official remarked that since this would entail horizontal drilling, there will also be less damage to roads. The discom’s decision to adopt the same technology as players such as private internet service providers has been welcomed. The cables are secured with layers of insulation including PVC, so damages to the cables from seepage of water is extremely rare.

Sathyamurthy M, a resident of Kolathur, tells us that he and other neighbors in the locality are actually happy with developments, “I am glad that this issue is being raised in the assembly and there are positive developments. It gets dangerous during the rains with overhead cabling. I also appreciate the new technology that will damage the roads less. This will be beneficial to all residents of the area.”