Cables hit underpass work at key city junctions: NHAI

Gurgaon: The power department has agreed to shift power cables at IFFCO Chowk and Hero Honda Chowk underground.
The decision of Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam limited (HVPNL) came in response to the NHAI's demand that the cabling at the two junctions, which is obstructing the construction of underpasses, be mended. The NHAI has also asked the power department to shift the cables underground.
At Hero Honda Chowk, power cables from two towers are sagging at a height of 5.3 metres from the ground.However, the minimum height of a power cable should at least be 7 metres. Heavy vehicles like trucks and buses passing through this area could touch these wires, leading to major accidents.
On Thursday, the NHAI asked Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam limited (HVPNL) to increase the height of the towers.
However, the discom has dismissed the idea saying that increasing the height will take at least three months. But they agreed to dismantle these power cables and put them undergorund.
Meanwhile, underground power cables in IFFCO Chowk has to be dug up when the construction work for the underpass starts. According to the plan, these cables will be shifted to elsewhere. The estimated shifting will be in crores.
HVPNL has set up a committee to estimate the costs of shifting cables at both junctions. After the discom completes the estimation, the NHAI will decide on cost-sharing. In case of IFFCO Chowk, the NHAI may even ask MCG to pitch in.
"The cables has to shifted because it involves a lot if risks for the commuters. So now we are waiting for the expected expenditure before starting the work so that we know if NHAI needs to pitch in any money and whether to seek financial support from any other civic body," said Ashok Sharma, project director at NHAI.