Sonepur: The state government will install underground electric cables in the district headquarters town, according to industry and urban development minister Niranjan Pujari.

Pujari, who met the district electricity committee here on Tuesday, said the government had initiated steps to release Rs 20 crore that had been allocated for the purpose in the coming fiscal.

"Sonepur will have underground electrification, and we have allocated Rs 20 crore for it. Steps have been taken to release the fund in the coming financial year," he said.

Consumers in the district also hailed the initiative.

Local resident Biranchi Narayan Mishra said it was better not to talk about the service of Western Electricity Supply Company of Orissa Limited (Wesco), the town's electricity provider.

He said: "The less said about power supply system in Sonepur, the better. It is undoubtedly the worst in the entire state. No one knows when the power comes or goes. Unscheduled power cuts are a routine affair."

"There are also power cuts on the pretext of storms and rain. Often there are failures because of technical snags," he said. Mishra also said it was a good idea to have underground electrification in Sonepur.

"I hope that it helps to provide better service to consumer."

Wesco's executive engineer (Sonepur) Srinibas Swain said the underground electrification would benefit everyone.

"Underground electircity cables are safe and hassle free. There will be no low-lying electrical wires that pose threats to human life. It is also cost effective. It is good that the government has chosen Sonepur for the project," he said.