Bengaluru: In a major push to enhance public safety and urban cleanliness, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) mobilized thousands of employees on Saturday to clear defunct transformers and hazardous power equipment from footpaths across the city. Working in tandem with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), the drive forms part of the ongoing month-long "Clean Up Bengaluru" campaign.
Led by BESCOM Managing Director Dr. N. Shivashankara, the large-scale operation aims to reclaim pedestrian walkways and eliminate electrical hazards. The initiative follows directives from Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George, who formally flagged off the month-long program on August 1 following an announcement by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
Citywide Operations Target Pedestrian Obstructions
The drive commenced early Saturday morning at 7:00 AM from Yelahanka and quickly expanded to multiple key sectors across Bengaluru, including Sahakar Nagar, Hebbal, Whitefield, HSR Layout, JP Nagar, Shivajinagar, Bellandur, Dasarahalli, MSR Nagar, HBR Layout, Krishnarajapura, and Channasandra Main Road.
Field teams systematically dismantled obsolete transformer units, cleared debris around power setups, and raised Gang Operated Switch (GOS) rods to a safer height of seven feet from the ground. To prevent public nuisance and waste accumulation around Ring Main Units (RMUs), crews also posted warning notices advising against public urination and garbage dumping.
Key Progress and Technical Milestones
Reviewing the impact of the campaign Dr. N. Shivashankara From August 1 to 8, BESCOM’s Clean-up Bengaluru campaign undertook work on 356 poles, 10 transformer centres, 199 other infrastructure works and modification of 323 GS operating rods. The campaign also covered cleaning of 1,730 DTC yards and 411 RMU yards and 383 spun pole/DP yards, along with 101 feeder pillar box rewiring and yard-cleaning works and 39 pole rewiring and yard-cleaning works.
"BESCOM remains fully committed to collaborating with the GBA to maintain a cleaner Bengaluru. Under the guidance of our technical experts, we are shifting non-functional electrical infrastructure to safe zones and removing waste collected around power installations," said Dr. Shivashankara. He added that the drive will continue with full momentum through Sunday.
Government Focus on Pedestrian Safety
Emphasizing the core objective of the initiative, Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George reinforced the state's commitment to urban safety:
"Delivering reliable electricity goes hand-in-hand with ensuring public safety. Citizens require safe, unobstructed walkways to commute without risk. Through this partnership with the GBA, BESCOM is working to deliver garbage-free surroundings and fully accessible footpaths to the people of Bengaluru by the end of this month."
