LAHORE (MNN); The Punjab government has initiated a pilot project to remove dangerous overhead electricity lines in Lahore to prevent short circuits and life-threatening accidents, officials said on Saturday.
The project, announced during a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, will focus on clearing unsafe and tangled power lines in densely populated areas, with the first phase targeting central Lahore. Authorities said the initiative will also help reduce accidents during the upcoming Basant festival.
“Overhead electric wires may not appear dangerous, but they pose a constant threat to human life,” the Chief Minister said. She directed that all alternative services, including internet connectivity, be maintained while cables are relocated underground.
Officials reviewed a proposal to divide Lahore into three zones for a systematic undergrounding of the city’s electricity network. A policy decision was also made to make underground power supply mandatory in all new housing schemes.
The Chief Minister called for an emergency safety plan to prevent short-circuit fires and related fatalities, citing disasters such as the Karachi Gul Plaza fire as examples of poorly managed electrical infrastructure. “Protecting the public is our responsibility,” she added.
LESCO officials informed the meeting that Lahore currently has 40,000 kilometres of electricity cables and 50,000 kilometres of internet lines crisscrossing the city.
The pilot project will be implemented by a steering committee including Energy Minister Faisal Khokhar, LESCO officials, and housing and administrative authorities. The initiative aims to ensure safer power distribution and reduce accident risks during rainy seasons and public events.
