Underground cabling: Who is accountable?

Sir,

The large-scale underground electrical cabling work underway across Mysuru is causing considerable inconvenience to residents. While modernising the city’s electrical infrastructure is welcome, the manner in which the work is being executed raises serious concerns.

Extensive trenching has damaged existing water pipelines and drainage systems at several locations, without adequate and timely restoration. More seriously, there are concerns about improper reconnection of electrical cables like interchanging of phases and neutral, while connecting back the new cables to the transformers.

Such technical lapses can result in abnormal voltage conditions and potentially damage costly electrical and electronic appliances.

Contractors must be held responsible for restoring damaged water and drainage infrastructure and for ensuring that electrical connections are properly tested before supply is restored.

Infrastructure development is welcome, but it must not come at the cost of public safety and essential civic services. The authorities should immediately review the project and ensure that it is completed within the stipulated time-frame, with proper technical supervision, transparency, accountability and minimum inconvenience to citizens.

—K. Chandrahas

Mysuru

27.8.2026

This post was published on August 28, 2026 7:30 pm