Installation of underground cables completed in Hatirjheel area

The work to install underground cables has been completed in Hatirjheel area, although subsequent road repairs necessitated by the project are progressing slowly.

According to official sources, both the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) completed their work in September and deposited their required money to the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk) to repair the roads as per rule.

Sources said that recently a Rajuk-appointed contractor has started the road repair works but it's going on at a very slow pace.

The DPDC and PGCB have laid the high voltage underground cables through digging the roads in the area to replace their overhead cables at the Hatirjheel lake.

The DPDC first completed its part of the work in June, and then the PGCB's work was completed in September, said the sources in the PGCB. PGCB officials said after completion of the works, the Rajuk will repair the roads as the area is under its jurisdiction.

During a recent visit to the area, it was found that the Rajuk's appointed contractor started its road repair works at Mogbazar Red Crescent area. The slow pace of work is prolonging the commuters' sufferings, as they have to face a huge dust problem while moving through the area.

"Dust and sand are always flying, creating problems in breathing," said Razib Ahmed, who has to use the road everyday to go to his work place.

A B M Badruddoza Khan Sumon, assistant general manager (AGM) of PGCB, informed that his organisation has completed its work about two months back and removed all equipment from the project area.

Rajuk's executive engineer AK Azad, responsible for the road repair works, was contacted over mobile phone to get his comments. But he did not respond.

The DPDC started the work in March this year to lay underground cables to replace the high voltage overhead transmission lines in Hatirjheel area.

Bikash Dewan, managing director of DPDC said that after completion of the project, there would be no overhead cables in Hatirjheel.

He said that the cables were laid underground through digging the roads in the southern part of the Hatirjheel area, while the cables reach Moghbazar through Rampura Bridge area.

The Hatirjheel lake was artificially created in a vast area of Gulshan, Tejgaon and Rampura as part of the city's beautification and environmental protection plan. But the overhead cables were out of place with the plan.

Removing overhead cables from Hatirjheel is a part of the DPDC's larger plan to take all its overhead cables underground from different areas in the city's central, west and southern parts.

The PGCB is also involved in the works as its high voltage cable will be connected with the DPDC cables to supply power from Ulan Grid Substation.

Commuters had to experience a huge hazard due to road digging in the southern part of Hatirjheel for the underground power cabling works during the last monsoon. Now the slow pace in the works is creating further sufferings to the city commuters who use the Hatirjheel roads to quickly reach from Gulshan or Rampura to Moghbazar. The roads have turned dusty creating an unbearable situation for the commuters.