CM Bhagwant Mann Unveils Underground Power Project
Sangrur, 19 May (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday launched a first of its kind initiative aimed at transforming Punjab into the country’s first state with “ villages.” The ambitious project was inaugurated from the Chief Minister’s native village Satauj, where overhead electricity wires and poles will now be shifted underground in a major infrastructure upgrade.
Calling it a historic day for Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann laid the foundation stone for the underground electricity wiring project, which is expected to provide major relief to farmers and rural residents. The initiative aims to prevent crop fires, fatal accidents and power disruptions caused by overhead electricity lines while also improving the overall appearance of villages.
Under the pilot project, 384 electricity poles will be removed from Satauj village at an estimated cost of around ₹8 crore. The project includes underground installation of seven kilometers of High Tension lines, 9.5 kilometers of Low Tension lines and 41 kilometers of service cables connecting over 800 households.
Addressing the gathering, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the “Satauj Model” would become a roadmap for the entire country. He stated that Punjab is taking the lead in modernizing rural infrastructure and ensuring safer villages for future generations. Mann added that underground power supply would also eliminate disputes and politics related to electricity poles in villages.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the project would use trenchless drilling technology, meaning roads would not need to be dug up for laying underground cables. Pipes carrying cables will be installed nearly three feet below the ground, minimizing inconvenience for residents.
Bhagwant Singh Mann also emphasized the dangers posed by overhead electricity wires, particularly for farmers using tractors and combine harvesters. He recalled tragic incidents in which three youths from the village lost their lives due to electrocution involving farm machinery and overhead wires. The Chief Minister said the project was a tribute to those young men and aimed at ensuring such accidents never happen again.
The project is expected to significantly reduce electricity leakage, transmission losses and weather-related disruptions. Mann said uninterrupted power supply, improved safety and enhanced village aesthetics would be among the key benefits of the initiative.
During the event, the Chief Minister also highlighted several welfare initiatives of the Punjab Government, including healthcare schemes, digital governance reforms and strict anti-sacrilege legislation. Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Tarunpreet Singh Sondh were also present at the occasion.
Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH
