The Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC) has initiated a project for developing a network of underground power cables in the city. The project will be executed in association with the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company (WBSEDCL) with financial assistance from the World Bank. The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 550 crore.

The SMC Mayor Gautam Deb and CMD WBSEDCL Santanu Basu recently held a meeting where the project was discussed. Deb told the media after the meeting that the work will start after Durga Puja. “Power cables will be laid underground for a distance of around 550km across Siliguri. In the first phase, around Rs 200 crore will be spent. There are plans to start the work after Durga Puja," Deb told newspersons after the meeting.

He further added, “Around 32,000 electric poles, which are in the city along with transformers, will be removed. Small transformers will replace the existing large transformers. The cabling will help in ensuring a steady power supply and the maintenance costs will be less."