Hyderabad: The underground cabling work taken up by the Southern Distribution Company has been severely affected as the GHMC has not given it permission to proceed in key areas of the city.
According to official sources, the civic body has not moved on the discom’s requests since October last. Out of the 28 plans submitted by the Discom, just six were approved, according to GHMC sources.
According to rules, the Discom has to submit its plans to the GHMC for approval. The Discom digs up the pits and completes the cabling work.
The GHMC moves in to fill the pits and charges the discom for this. The discom had planned to lay undergound cabling for new connections in around 50 km a year ago and sent the plans for approval in October.
The areas included Road No 3, Banjara Hills to NIMS; Yousufguda to Srinagar Colony; GTS Colony to Road No 2, Banjara Hills; Madhapur-IT Corridor lane; Chintalbasthi to AC Guards; Gudimalkapur and Afzalgunj to Goshamahal lanes.
“Had the GHMC given approval immediately, we would have completed the work by now. Summer is the right time to lay cables. Once the rains start, water and mud fills the pits and it is extra work,” said Mr Pandya Naik, chief general manager, Master Plan Zone, said.
GHMC sources have not given any convincing reply for the delay. “Several cabling plans have been with us from private telecom operators, the sewage and water board, and discom We are clearing them one by one,” a GHMC official said.
“The discom has also paid the restoration charges of Rs 3,500 per meter sector-wise to the GHMC in advance. Even then, there is no clearance,” a top official of the Master Plan Zone said.
The GHMC has also been accused of being complacent over restoration of roads. “In Shivam Road, a road dug up long ago was left open for months. Our repeated attempts to get the GHMC to repair the road failed,” said Mr Naryana Rao, a resident of DD Colony.
