Chandigarh, Feb 2 (IANS): All the urban areas in Punjab will have underground cables for power supply to ensure wire-free roads and cut down on transmission losses, a spokesperson said here Monday.

The project will be executed at a cost of Rs.2,000 crore within the next two years, he said.

"With a view to conserving energy, Punjab has adopted various technical measures and innovative initiatives that resulted in dropping of considerable peak demand by about 1,000 MW and savings of 1,200 MUs (million units) annually besides ensuring cutting down transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and checking theft of energy," the spokesman said.

"Punjab would also be the first state in the country to have all urban areas with underground power cables network in order to have wire-free roads and uninterrupted power supply," he added.

The Punjab government has been drawing flak in recent years for power interruptions in all categories -- domestic, commercial, industrial and farm sector. However, the government has been claiming that the state will be power surplus soon and will even export power to other states.