Wed Oct 08 17:23:53 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text and a rewritten news article based on it:
**Summary:**
Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) is nearing completion of a project to convert overhead power lines to underground cables around the Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai. The initiative, costing ₹6.4 crore for the initial phase, aims to improve safety for the large number of pilgrims who visit the temple, especially during festivals, and reduce inconvenience to residents caused by regular power cuts. The project has already removed 90 electrical poles and will be extended to the 14-km Girivalam path at a cost of ₹9 crore, removing an additional 600-700 poles. The underground cabling will free up road space, prevent electrocutions, and is expected to be completed before the Karthigai Deepam festival.
**News Article:**
**Tiruvannamalai Temple Area Gets Underground Power Cables for Pilgrim Safety**
**Tiruvannamalai, October 8, 2025:** In a move to enhance pilgrim safety and reduce disruptions for residents, the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) is in the final stages of burying overhead power lines around the iconic Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai. The project, initiated in 2023, is almost 90% complete, with the initial phase focusing on areas with high pilgrim traffic.
“We have traditionally implemented power cuts during festival seasons to prevent accidents, but this caused hardship for residents,” said S. Jagannathan, Superintending Engineer (SE) Incharge, Tangedco (Tiruvannamalai). “The underground cabling will eliminate the need for these cuts while significantly improving safety.”
J. Radhakrishnan, Chairman and MD of Tangedco, personally inspected the temple premises and surrounding areas on Wednesday to assess the progress of the safety measures.
The first phase of the project, costing ₹6.4 crore, covers approximately 2.6 km around the temple, resulting in the removal of 90 electrical poles. Residents like S. Kumar are already seeing the benefits. “The underground cables free up road space, which is especially important on these narrow streets, and will prevent electrocutions during the monsoon season. This initiative should be extended to the entire town.”
Looking ahead, Tangedco has secured ₹9 crore in funding to extend the underground cabling project to the 14-km Girivalam path. This expansion will remove an estimated 600-700 additional electrical poles and is expected to be completed within six months. Work on the Girivalam path is slated to begin in the coming weeks.
Tiruvannamalai attracts millions of pilgrims annually, with footfall peaking during festivals like Maha Deepam, which saw an estimated 40 lakh visitors in 2024. The underground power infrastructure is expected to provide a safer and more convenient experience for all who visit the sacred site. Tangedco aims to complete the initial phase of the project before the upcoming Karthigai Deepam festival.
First Piper 