Better tech to prevent cable damage

I asked in Parliament about whether the Ministry will review current methods for finding underground utilities. My focus was on how we can better detect non metallic assets like fibre optic cables that often elude standard tools. I cited the recent accident where a contractor hit underground cables during North South Corridor works. This caused a 20 hour broadband outage for over 5,000 households and disrupted bus arrival timings. I also asked if the Government would provide subsidies to help our contractors adopt advanced detection technologies to prevent such incidents.

The Minister explained that the Government has mandated metallic tracer cables for new fibre since 2015 to make them easier to find. He noted that certain projects must now use advanced non-invasive tools like Multi Channel Ground Penetrating Radar. The authorities are currently studying how to help the industry scale up these technologies and will test new solutions to improve detection accuracy.

It is good to see progress but we must ensure these high tech tools become the industry standard rather than the exception. I believe more direct financial support for smaller contractors would speed up this transition and protect our essential services.

This is the full question and answer from 7 May 2026:

Review Of Detection Methods And Gaps For Underground Utilities, And Subsidies For Adoption Of Advanced Detection Technologies By Contractors

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will review the adequacy of current methods for verifying the exact locations and depths of underground utilities; (b) how the detection gap for non conductive and non-metallic assets, such as fibre optic cables and PVC pipes, is being addressed; and (c) whether the Government will provide subsidies to contractors for the adoption of advanced detection technologies.

Mr Chee Hong Tat: As most of our utilities are delivered through underground cables and pipelines, there are processes in place to minimise the risks of accidental damage to them. For example, contractors are required to undertake topography surveys and conduct trial trenches to verify the locations and depths of existing cables and pipelines before works can be conducted in their vicinity.

The Government has improved these processes as well as the methods used to verify the locations and depths of underground cables and pipelines over the years. For example, to enhance the detectability of non-conductive assets such as fibre optic cables, the Government has, since 2015, mandated Telcos to implement metallic tracer cables alongside all newly laid fibre optic cables. The Government also required contractors of selected infrastructure projects to adopt advanced non-invasive geo referenced technologies such as the Electro-Magnetic Locator (EML) and Multi Channel Ground Penetrating Radar (MCGPR) to supplement trial trenches and improve the efficacy of detecting different underground utilities.

We will continue to improve the processes and methods for verifying the exact locations and depths of underground utilities, and to study how best to support the industry in scaling up the adoption of these technologies. We will also try out technology solutions that can further enhance the industry’s ability to detect underground cables and pipelines.

Source: Singapore Parliament Reports (Hansard)