Bescom joins Bengaluru clean-up drive, begins shifting transformers from footpaths

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd (BESCOM) has joined the Greater Bengaluru Authority's (GBA) month-long "Clean Up Bengaluru" campaign by relocating transformers and other electrical infrastructure obstructing footpaths, Energy and Tourism Minister KJ George said on Saturday.

The initiative is part of the state government's broader drive to improve pedestrian safety and reclaim public spaces across Bengaluru. The campaign, launched on August 1, brings together civic agencies under the GBA to remove encroachments, construction debris, black spots and other obstacles from roads and footpaths. Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said the exercise aims to make Bengaluru cleaner, safer and more walkable.

George inspected transformer relocation work at Channakeshava Layout near Hennur Main Road along with BESCOM Managing Director N Shivashankara and directed officials to expedite the exercise.


"As a citizen-centric utility, BESCOM has joined the GBA's 'Clean Up Bengaluru' campaign. While electrical infrastructure is essential for the city's development, it should not inconvenience pedestrians. We aim to provide safer footpaths and a cleaner environment within the next month," the minister said.

He directed BESCOM officials to accord top priority to ensuring obstruction-free pedestrian pathways across the city.

Shivashankara said BESCOM had begun removing decommissioned electrical infrastructure from footpaths and had identified damaged and deteriorated electric poles for removal or relocation.

Distribution point (DP) transformer structures on major roads that obstruct pedestrian movement will either be replaced with compact transformer units or mounted on spun poles. He instructed officials to ensure that new poles are installed away from pedestrian pathways.

BESCOM has also directed its field staff to maintain a minimum clearance of seven feet from the ground for gang-operated switches and operating levers installed on transformer poles to improve public safety.

The utility will identify and relocate poles, ring main units (RMUs) and transformers that obstruct vehicular movement wherever feasible. It will also clear vegetation around transformer installations, remove accumulated waste and ensure that transformer stations are kept clean as part of the campaign.

To coordinate the exercise with the GBA, Bescom has appointed the chief engineers (Electrical) of its Bengaluru North Metropolitan Zone and Bengaluru South Metropolitan Zone as nodal officers.

The inspection was attended by local public representatives and senior BESCOM officials.