As the skyline of Andhra Pradesh's ambitious new capital, Amaravati, transforms with towering cranes and emerging infrastructure, a monumental but unseen revolution is unfolding beneath the soil. In one of the most significant underground electrification initiatives ever launched in a greenfield Indian city, hundreds of kilometres of high-tension power cables are being buried, creating a resilient and invisible backbone for the future metropolis.
The Invisible Backbone of a Smart Capital
Along the planned boulevards and the serene banks of the Krishna River, a massive operation is in full swing. The scene is dominated by enormous blue cable reels, as large as trucks, which are being meticulously unspooled. Excavators carve out precise trenches, while crews clad in safety gear carefully guide thick, black XLPE-insulated cables into their subterranean home. This coordinated effort between man and machine is setting the stage for a power grid that is both robust and aesthetically pleasing.
The strategic move to place the entire high-voltage network underground is a direct response to the region's vulnerability. Coastal Andhra Pradesh is prone to cyclones, gales, and floods, which frequently damage traditional overhead lines, leading to widespread and prolonged power outages. By burying the cables, Amaravati is future-proofing its essential services, ensuring that citizens will experience near-zero disruptions even during extreme weather events.
Beyond Reliability: The Aesthetic and Economic Dividends
The benefits of this ambitious project extend far beyond mere reliability. The immediate aesthetic improvement is undeniable. The cityscape will be free from the chaotic tangle of poles and wires, allowing for clean, uninterrupted vistas as envisioned in the masterplan. This commitment to visual appeal is a core principle of Amaravati's design philosophy.
Economically, the decision is equally sound. Experts project that underground systems can reduce long-term maintenance costs by up to 30% while also enhancing transmission efficiency. This model has already been successfully implemented in global hubs like Singapore, Dubai, and parts of Gurugram. For a capital being built from scratch, this approach is priceless—it eliminates the need for costly and disruptive retrofitting in the future.
Political Vision and Public Acclaim
The project has ignited a wave of excitement across social media, with citizens and officials alike praising the forward-thinking approach. The vision is widely attributed to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is championing the construction of a next-century city "the right way the first time."
Echoing this sentiment, HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh took to X (formerly Twitter) to articulate the project's significance. He stated, "Moving high-tension power lines underground enhances reliability, safety, and the aesthetic appeal of our People's Capital—built for durability and future-readiness." He further emphasized that this initiative is a key part of Chief Minister Naidu's blueprint to establish Amaravati as a green and smart metropolis. Minister Lokesh poetically noted that as the cables sink deeper, Amaravati rises higher—a capital not just illuminated, but truly empowered.
After years of political uncertainty that stalled development, the Amaravati project has been revived with renewed vigour. The site now hums with coordinated activity, from laying foundational roads to integrating utilities, all engineered with scalability in mind. This underground power grid stands as a powerful symbol of Amaravati's ambition to become a world-class, sustainable, and resilient city.
