Mysore/Mysuru: In response to complaints about the unscientific underground (UG) cable laying works conducted by Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) Limited, which pose a threat to the development projects of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), the civic body, led by Mayor Shivakumar, has taken CESC officers to task.

During a meeting held at the Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Meeting Hall in the MCC Office on Wednesday, Mayor Shivakumar said that CESC officers should take full responsibility for any accidents that may occur during the MCC’s development works. The CESC is also expected to provide comprehensive details of all locations where underground cables have been laid in the city. The locations must include the cable and junction mapping, he added.

He demanded the cooperation of CESC officers in verifying whether UG cables have been laid in areas where the MCC plans to conduct works. Furthermore, he urged them to rectify any issues that arise after the cables have been laid.

Additionally, the Mayor insisted that CESC should be responsible for removing tree branches that are left behind by their workers after pruning, as this has been an ongoing problem. However, he rejected the Corporators’ request for an underground area scanning machine to identify UG cable lines before undertaking any work.

Chairman of the Accounts Standing Committee Ramesh highlighted the lack of precautionary measures taken since the commencement of UG cable laying works. He reported incidents of 11 KV capacity UG cables being drawn through underground drainage (UGD), manholes, and drinking water pipes, leading to short circuits and blasts in multiple locations. He expressed concerns that if this situation persists, it will hinder future works.

Corporator B.V. Manjunath alleged embezzlement of several crores of rupees in the name of UG cable laying works, indicating that cables were being laid in unauthorised areas, contrary to approved permissions, which defeats the very purpose of the projects.

Corporator K.V. Sridhar pointed out the lack of information boards in various places where cables are drawn overhead. He also raised concerns about the improper installation of transformers on footpaths, urging their prompt removal.

Former Mayor and sitting Corporator Ayub Khan commented on the ugly appearance of bundles of telephone, power and TV cables hanging from electric poles, tarnishing Mysuru’s ‘Clean City’ reputation.

In response to grievances raised by Corporators and inconveniences caused by UG cable works, CESC Managing Director C.N. Sridhar assured that he would inspect the works to implement necessary measures.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Mayor Dr. G. Roopa, MCC Commissioner G. Lakshmikantha Reddy, Chairperson of the Taxation, Finance and Appeals Standing Committee Shanthakumari, Corporators M.U. Subbaiah and Prema Shankaregowda and MCC engineers.