**Executive Summary**
This document addresses a parliamentary question (no. 1098) answered on February 5, 2026, regarding the policy for large-scale implementation of insulated conductors in India. It outlines the measures taken to prevent electrocution incidents and line faults, including the role of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) initiated in July 2021. The response clarifies the roles of state governments and distribution utilities in power supply and distribution.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Policy Framework:**
* The Government of India supports state efforts to provide quality and reliable power through various schemes, addressing the concurrent subject of electricity.
* The CEA has mandated the use of insulated cables, covered conductors, Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC), and underground cables in specific areas through Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023 and Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022, as amended from time to time.
* **Cable Usage Regulations:**
* Underground cables must be used in coastal areas.
* ABC or insulated cables or covered conductors must be used in congested, theft, and accident-prone areas.
* Underground cables are required for electric lines of 33 kV and below that pass through protected areas (National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, etc.) and Eco-sensitive zones.
* Distribution utilities may use insulated or covered conductors in other areas as needed based on field conditions.
* **Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS):**
* The Government of India launched RDSS in July 2021 to improve the quality and reliability of power supply.
* The scheme provides financial assistance for distribution infrastructure upgrades and system modernization.
* Sanctioned works include ABC/covered conductors & underground cables, substation upgrades, and transformer upgrades.
* Distribution infrastructure works amounting to Rs 1.53 lakh crore have been sanctioned under the scheme.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government / Distribution Utility**
* **Impact**: Primarily responsible for electricity supply and distribution to consumers within their jurisdiction. They receive support from the Government of India through various schemes.
* **Action Required**: To implement the CEA's regulations on insulated and underground cables and to utilize the RDSS for infrastructure upgrades and modernization based on their proposals.
**Stakeholder: Central Electricity Authority (CEA)**
* **Impact**: Mandated to formulate and update regulations on safety and technical standards for electrical plants and electric lines.
* **Action Required**: Ensure regulations are followed by Distribution Utilities for usage of insulated conductors.
**Stakeholder: Consumers**
* **Impact**: Aimed at improving the quality and reliability of power supply, preventing electrocution incidents, and reducing line faults.
* **Action Required**: There is no direct action required from consumers. They will benefit from the enhanced safety and reliability of the power supply.
Key Entities Referenced
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): A scheme launched to improve the quality and reliability of power supply through financial assistance for upgradation of distribution infrastructure and system modernization.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA): Regulatory body that has notified regulations mandating the use of insulated cables in certain areas to prevent electrocution incidents and enhance safety.
Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023: Regulations notified by the CEA mandating the use of insulated cables in certain areas.
Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022: Regulations notified by the CEA mandating the use of insulated cables in certain areas.
MINISTRY OF POWER: The ministry answering questions regarding policy for implementation of insulated conductors.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1098
ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026
POLICY FOR THE LARGE-SCALE IMPLEMENTATION OF INSULATED CONDUCTORS
1098. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has formulated any policy for the large-scale
implementation of insulated or covered conductors across the country to prevent
electrocution incidents and line faults, if so, the details thereof, including the
timeframe for its implementation;
(b) whether the Government has allocated any funds under centrally sponsored
schemes for the installation or upgradation to insulated electric lines and if so, the
details thereof;
(c) the details of States that have fully or partially implemented underground
cabling systems in the country; and
(d) whether the Ministry proposes to implement underground cabling in the
country, at least in urbanised areas and if so, the details thereof?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) to (d) : Electricity being a concurrent subject, supply and distribution of electricity
to the consumers is within the purview of the respective State Government/ Distribution
Utility. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States through various
schemes to help them achieve the objective of providing quality and reliable supply of
power to all consumers.
Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has notified the Central Electricity Authority
(Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023 and Central
Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and
Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022, as amended from time to time, which mandate the
use of insulated cables, covered conductors, Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC) and
underground cables in certain areas, with the objective of preventing electrocution
incidents, reducing line faults, and enhancing the safety and reliability of power supply.
As per the provision of these regulations:
Underground cables shall be used in coastal areas. Aerial bunched cables (ABC) or insulated cables or covered conductors shall be
used in the congested, theft and accident-prone areas.
In case of Electric lines of 33 kV and below passing through the protected areas
such as National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves, Community
Reserves), Eco-sensitive zones around the protected areas and Wildlife Corridors,
only underground cables shall be used.
In addition to above, distribution utilities may use insulated or covered
conductors in other areas based on actual field conditions.
With the objective of improving the quality and reliability of power supply to
consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution
Sector, Government of India launched Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in
July 2021. Under the scheme, financial assistance is being provided to the Distribution
Utilities for upgradation of distribution infrastructure & system modernization.
Distribution infrastructure works such as Aerial Bunched Cables (ABC)/covered
conductors & underground cables, upgradation/ augmentation of sub-stations and
distribution transformers, upgrading of conductors, etc. have been sanctioned under the
scheme based on proposals submitted the utilities. Till date, distribution infrastructure
works amounting to Rs 1.53 lakh crore have been sanctioned under the scheme.
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