Hyderabad to Get Full Underground Electric Cabling, Cabinet Also Establishes Third DISCOM

The Telangana Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of major reforms aimed at expanding and modernising the state's power sector, including the creation of a third power distribution company and a significant upgrade to Hyderabad's electricity infrastructure. The decisions were announced by Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka along with Ministers N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, Jupally Krishna Rao, Vakiti Srihari and Adluri Laxman Kumar.

One of the key approvals is the establishment of an Underground Electric Cable System across Greater Hyderabad. The project, estimated at ₹14,725 crore, will be implemented in three phases based on electricity circle divisions. Officials said the transition to underground cabling is expected to enhance safety, reduce interruptions and strengthen the city’s power reliability in the long term.

The Cabinet has also cleared the formation of a third DISCOM in Telangana, in addition to the existing NPDCL and SPDCL. The new DISCOM will manage agricultural power connections, lift irrigation schemes, Mission Bhagiratha, drinking water supply networks and the Hyderabad Metro Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s power requirements. The move is intended to streamline distribution and improve service delivery in key public and rural sectors.

Looking ahead to the next decade’s rising energy needs, the Cabinet approved a major renewable energy expansion plan. Tenders will soon be invited to procure 3,000 MW of solar power and 2,000 MW of pumped-storage power through five-year agreements.

The government has further permitted the development of 10,000 MW of pumped-storage power plants in the state, with land and water availability to be facilitated for companies expressing interest. Electricity generated by these plants will be supplied to state DISCOMs on a priority basis.

In a move aimed at attracting new industries, the Cabinet approved provisions under a Clean and Green Energy Policy, allowing industries to set up captive power generation units without any upper limit on capacity. Applications for such units will receive immediate approvals to speed up industrial investments.

On the thermal front, the Cabinet decided that NTPC will take up the construction of a new 800 MW unit at Ramagundam. The feasibility of setting up additional NTPC-led power projects at Palvancha and Makthal will also be examined.

Administrative Reshuffle Across Power Utilities

As part of the wider reforms, the government has issued a series of transfers and in-charge promotions across power utilities. Officers from the ranks of Chief Engineer (CE), Superintending Engineer (SE), Divisional Engineer (DE) and Assistant Divisional Engineer (ADE) have been reassigned. While some officials received upgraded responsibilities in in-charge capacities, others were transferred within the same cadre to strengthen operational management and improve service efficiency.

The sweeping decisions signal Telangana’s push towards a more resilient, cleaner and efficiently managed power ecosystem, with both urban and rural sectors set to benefit from the structural and infrastructural upgrades.