The West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) on Wednesday launched the work of laying underground power cables in Siliguri in association with the Siliguri Municipal Corporation (SMC).

The project, sources in the state power department said, has been taken up under the state’s electricity grid modernisation project.

“In the first phase, around ₹248 crores will be spent to lay the underground cables for power supply in 19 wards of the SMC. A total stretch of 226km will be covered in the first phase,” mayor Gautam Deb said after inaugurating the work near a housing complex at Bhaktinagar in the city.

He has said it is the first step in providing a modernised power supply toSiliguri residents.

“Once the project is complete, there will be no overhead power cables in the civic area. A similar project has been undertaken by the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL). They will provide house-to-house gas connections through a network of underground pipelines and cover a total distance of 1,200km in all 47 wards of the SMC. As a pilot project, GAIL lay gas pipelines along a stretch of 47km,” themayor added.

For the power project, which WBSEDCL has jointly taken up with the SMC, the state has receivedfinancial assistance from theWorld Bank.

“Out of the total estimated cost of ₹550 crore, the World Bank will provide around 70 per cent while the rest would be funded by the civic body,” said a source.

Kamal Agarwal, the member mayor-in-council (electrical) of the SMC, said, that in the first phase, stretches and localities like Air View More-Hashmi Chowk (through Hill Cart Road), Bagha Jatin Park, Collegepara, Subhashpally, Children’s Park, Hakimpara and Ashrampara would be covered. Hashmi Chowk-Check Post (through Panitanki More), commercial areas like Bidhan Market and Seth Srilal Market, some of the portion of Eastern Bypass, and the Iskcon Mandir Road will also be covered in thefirst phase.

“The work involves excavation, preparation of cable trench, foundation work, and drilling, followed by laying of power cables,” he said.