VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited (APEPDCL) on Friday organised a ‘Public Consultation Workshop’ here to elicit opinions and suggestions on the environmental and social concerns and impacts on the proposed implementation of underground (UG) cable project within the city limits.
The project was taken up by the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery Project (APDRP) and financed by World Bank.
Visakhapatnam MP K Haribabu suggested that the cable trenches should not be kept open for longer periods and complete the cable laying works at the earliest.
Visakhapatnam South MLA Vasupalli Ganesh Kumar suggested that the area-wise detailed plan of execution of the underground cable works along with time schedules should be shared with the local public representatives of that area in advance so that they could take necessary precautions to educate public of the area.
The participants discussed the issues, including how the cables will be laid in the narrow streets and slum areas mostly in the one town. The participants asked the officials of the APEPDCL to take precautions while marking the cable route on the road and ground so that public can avoid any accident while digging ground at select areas.
The speakers also informed the APEPDCL to create some mechanism for finding faults and disturbances in the cable system immediately and also ensure little or no damage to the public and private properties during emergency times.
Officials of the BSNL, Traffic Police and senior citizens were present.