Urban Power Lines to Be Undergrounded Ahead of Polls: Minister

Swift Summary

• The Goa government plans to complete the underground shifting of 11kV power lines statewide and 100% of low-tension (LT) domestic power lines in urban areas before the 2027 assembly elections.
• So far, approximately 50% of work on the 11kV lines and 20% on LT domestic cables has been completed.
• Power Minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar emphasized that underground cabling will enhance reliability. Currently, a fault in one transformer necessitates shutting down all connected lines; underground systems will onyl affect specific transformers during repairs.
• Rural areas will not see LT line cabling for now; urban LT lines are prioritized for completion before elections.

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Indian opinion Analysis
The Goa government’s push to complete urban LT line cabling and statewide 11kV line shifting suggests a focus on infrastructure modernization as election season approaches. Underground cables can offer important benefits-reducing outages and improving repair efficiency, which aligns with citizen demands for reliable electricity supply in densely populated regions. While rural areas are exempt from immediate plans, prioritizing high-use urban zones is logical given higher consumption rates and greater susceptibility to disruptions.

This approach could set a precedent for similar initiatives nationwide if successfully executed but also highlights challenges such as funding requirements, technical execution timelines, and ensuring rural regions are not left behind in broader infrastructure reforms over time.