The Gujarat government has decided to convert the existing overhead electricity distribution network into an underground system and make cities and towns in the state free of overhead wires by 2030, a minister said after a cabinet meeting chaired by the chief minister. The scheme is intended to prevent accidents such as short circuits and to reduce technical faults that disrupt supply. The state has given in-principle approval to the Gujarat Wire-Free City Mission and approved an initial provision of Rs five billion (Rs 5 bn) for the first phase, the minister said. The mission aligns with the national vision for green and smart cities and will be implemented in a phased manner across urban local bodies. The project will cover all 17 municipal corporations and 151 municipalities in the state to improve urban aesthetics, safety and the overall environment, according to the official release. More than 14,600 circuit kilometres of high-tension (HT) overhead power lines and over 31,400 circuit kilometres of low-tension (LT) overhead power lines will be converted into an underground network in phases. In the first phase, 11 kilovolts (11 kV) overhead power lines will be converted into underground cables, followed by the conversion of low-tension lines, the release said. Underground cabling is expected to reduce wire breakages and short circuits during natural disasters such as cyclones and storms, and to lower technical faults, ensuring citizens receive more reliable, uninterrupted and higher-quality electricity services. Officials indicated that the work will be executed in coordination with municipal administrations and distribution companies and will require detailed surveys, trenching and reinstatement of roads and public spaces. The phased rollout will allow lessons from initial areas to inform subsequent work and reduce disruption to residents and traffic. The state plans monitoring and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure that undergrounding delivers long-term improvements in safety and service continuity.