Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation officials checking the progress of work on the laying of underground extra high-tension cables at Mannarpuram in Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco) is all set to complete laying underground extra high tension (EHT) transmission cables in the city.
The project is aimed at upgrading the substation at Mannarpuram, which transmits power to areas such as Cantonment, Central Bus Stand, Mannarpuram, T.V.S. Tollgate, Collector’s Office, and Senthanneerpuram.
Considering the increasing demand, according to sources, the power utility decided to upgrade the substation from 33/11 kV to 110/11 kV. This will enable Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. to increase the load supply to consumers.
A sum of ₹26.71 crore was sanctioned to the project. Laying of underground cable and erection of EHT cables for 7 km from Sathanur substation to Mannarpuram substation were among the components of the project. Of the seven km, the overhead EHT will be erected for 4.6 km from Sathanur. The remaining 2.4 km will be underground line.
F. Mary Magdalin Princy, Superintending Engineer, Tantransco, told The Hindu that the EHT underground power line work between Mannarpuram and Edamalaipattipudur had been completed. The areas where underground EHT were laid were extremely busy roads. Instead of digging the ground for laying the cables, road-crossing trenches were created by horizontal directional drilling. The work was completed without disturbing the traffic.
Ms. Princy said most of the 16 EHT power towers between K. Sathanur and Edamalaipattipudur were erected. The work was on erecting two pending towers. Once the towers were erected, the cables would be connected.
The underground EHT work was planned to be carried via Mannarpuram roundabout. However, the alignment was changed taking into account of vehicular traffic density along the roundabout. The project would be completed within six weeks. Once completed, the power load from the Mannarpuram substation could be increased three times from the existing level. It would benefit consumers and reduce interruption in power supply, the official added.
Published – January 04, 2026 08:17 pm IST