Gandhinagar: In a major step towards making the state’s urban landscape safer and smarter, the Gujarat government has approved the “Gujarat Wire Free City Mission”, under which all urban areas of the state will be made wire-free in a phased manner by 2030. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday.

Announcing the decision, State Government Spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said the mission aims to convert the existing overhead power distribution network across urban Gujarat into an underground cable network, improving safety, reliability of power supply, and the overall aesthetics of cities.

As part of the initiative, all 17 Municipal Corporations and 151 municipalities in the state will be covered. The government has approved an initial allocation of Rs 500 crore for the first phase of the project.

Vaghani said the mission aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of developing green and smart cities. He added that the project will significantly enhance the beauty and safety of urban areas while strengthening power infrastructure.

Under the mission, more than 14,600 circuit kilometres of high-tension overhead lines and over 31,400 circuit kilometres of low-tension overhead lines will be shifted underground in phases. The first phase will focus on converting 11 kV overhead lines into underground cables, followed by low-tension distribution lines.

The minister said underground cabling will help prevent accidents caused by snapped wires and short circuits during natural disasters such as storms and heavy rainfall. It will also reduce technical faults in the power distribution system, ensuring better-quality and uninterrupted electricity supply for consumers.

Describing the initiative as a landmark urban infrastructure project, Vaghani said the Gujarat Wire Free City Mission is not merely a power network upgrade but a significant step towards building a modern, aesthetically appealing, and safer Gujarat for the 21st century. DeshGujarat