Work to convert overhead power lines into underground cables around temple nears completion

In an effort to ensure the safety of devotees from mishaps during festival seasons, work to convert the existing over head (OT) power lines into underground cables on key stretches around Arunachaleswara temple in Tiruvannamalai town by Tangedco is nearing completion with around 90 per cent of work being completed.

Officials of Tangedco said that it has been a traditional practice to enforce regular power cuts to houses on key stretches around the temple during festival season, including Karthigai Deepam and Chitra Pournami days, to prevent any untoward incidents like electrocution of pilgrims during their visit to the temple.

However, such power cuts have caused inconvenience for residents, especially senior citizens. “In the initial stage of conversion of power cables, stretches around the temple where the presence of crowds is high were taken up. The entire work of converting overhead cables into underground power lines around the temple will be completed before Karthigai Deepam festival,” S. Jagannathan, Superintending Engineer (SE) Incharge, Tangedco (Tiruvannamalai), told The Hindu.

Along with Tangedco officials, J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman and MD of Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation, inspected the temple premises and surrounding areas on safety measures undertaken for pilgrims in terms of power lines on Wednesday.

“Underground power cables will provide more road space as existing electrical poles on narrow streets around the temple have been removed. It will also help to prevent electrocution during monsoon. The initiative should be extended to the entire town,” said S. Kumar, a resident.

Tangedco officials said that conversion is being implemented in two phases, covering around 2.6 km in distance, around the temple area. The existing 90 electrical poles have been removed from these streets to enable underground cable work, which was started in 2023. The initiative is being done at a cost of ₹6.4 crore.

At present, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, including its newly added areas like Vengaikal and Adi Annamalai villages, has around one lakh power consumers. As per a study, around 40 lakh devotees visited the town during Maha Deepam festival in 2024. On an average, 3-4 lakh pilgrims visit the temple and the town during weekends and holidays. The footfalls increases manifold during festival seasons.

Tangedco officials said that the initiative of underground power line will be extended to the 14-km-long Girivalam path soon as the State government has given a nod for ₹9 crore for the work, which will commence in the coming weeks. The existing 600-700 electrical poles on the path will be removed as part of work to lay underground power cables. The entire work on the path will be completed in six months.