Patna, Oct. 18: Patna Electric Supply Undertaking will install around 500km of aerial bunched cables in the city to check hooking and pilferage of power.

The work is on and will pick momentum after Chhath, officials said. Around 300km of aerial bunched cables will be installed in Pesu’s west circle and the remaining in the east circle.

The move would help officials check power pilferage from illegal hooking and also deal with frequent complaints of cables/wires getting snapped in windy or rainy conditions. The aerial bunched cables would reduce casualty from snapping of cables because the wires would be covered.

“The work to install the aerial bunched cables has started in Patna. It will pick momentum after Chhath, as there is less power load between mid-October and mid-March. Next summer residents can expect improved power supply,” a Pesu official said.

Around 4.35 lakh consumers come under Pesu’s 11 divisions.

The aerial bunched cables will not only replace power lines installed on bamboo poles in new colonies but also dilapidates bare conductors in other parts of the city.

A source said: “The cables will be installed in areas where power lines have been installed on bamboo poles. All the bamboo poles would have to be replaced with aerial bunched cables. Pesu will also install another 300-350km aerial bunched cables in areas with dilapidated bare conductors.”

Sources in the power company made it clear that the aerial bunched cables would be installed for low tension and 11KV lines and in congested and power theft prone areas.

South Bihar Power Distribution Company has entrusted Polycab and BV Group for the work to be carried out under the special plan of Backward Region Grant Fund in the 17 districts under its jurisdiction.

The work has started in Patna and other 16 districts. The new cables would be a better alternative for bare overhead conductors.

According to the company’s proposal, the work will be completed in phases within 18-24 months at an estimated cost of Rs 184.58 crore. Rs 63.33 crore has been earmarked for installing aerial bunched cables in Patna.

The decision to strengthen and modernise the system is in line with the government’s order to replace 72,000km of wires in phases on a priority basis to provide unhindered power supply to the people.