The number of damage cases involving underground facilities has fallen thanks to the implementation of the Electronic Mark Plant Circulation System, a computerised database of underground utility records.

Damage cases have fallen progressively to 620 cases last year, from 1,073 in 2000.

Joint Utilities Policy Group Chairman Tang Yiu-cheung said the body will strive for even better co-ordination in managing underground facilities to provide satisfactory services and minimise public inconvenience.

For the first half of 2004, there were 231 damage cases, a third less than the 352 in the same period last year.

Mechanism working well in emergencies

When cases require immediate retrieval of utility records, Mr Tang said the 24-hour emergency centres of respective utility companies and Government departments will operate promptly and co-operate.

"We will immediately process any emergency request. Joint Utilities Policy Group members aim to complete the exchange of information within two hours," he said.

If needed, emergency teams from utility companies and Government departments will offer assistance on site, to bring the situation back to normal in the shortest time.

Mr Tang said the mechanism on co-ordination of utility records served well both in normal circumstances and emergencies.

Further improvements to come

He said: "Utility companies will further improve the mechanism. To enhance accuracy of utility records, we have agreed to inform each other when buried services do not match records. It is also now a condition of excavation permits for streets to have a qualified professional to certify the alignment of newly laid utility services."

About 70,000km of utility facilities are buried beneath Hong Kong. The Government has computerised the city's underground utility records since the mid-90s.

The Government and utility companies took the initiative in 2000 to jointly develop the Electronic Mark Plant Circulation System for an efficient exchange of underground utility data and records.

8 bodies participate in electronic system

The launch of the system in September 2002 has substantially shortened the time for exchange of utility information to within a few days.

The eight participating bodies are China Light & Power, Hong Kong & China Gas, Hong Kong Electric, Hutchison Global Communications, and PCCW, plus the Water Supplies, Highways and Drainage Services Departments.

Other utilities may also join the system soon. They currently get utilities data from respective group members by sending a written enquiry.