BBMP sets 1-month deadline to remove illegal cables, wires

BENGALURU: Acting on a high court directive, BBMP has set a deadline of one month for removing all cables and wires illegally drawn and hanging over pedestrian paths and tied to trees and electrical poles.
The high court had issued the order while hearing a PIL pertaining to OFC cables and other wires dangling dangerously.

In a notification dated August 23, BBMP said if any cable TV operator or internet service provider fails to remove the illegally drawn wires and cables, the civic agency will remove them without prior notice and initiate legal action.
Over the past nine years, BBMP has granted permission for installing a 12,274-km length of OFC cables across the city. It has levied a penalty of Rs 37.7 crore for illegal installation of cables during the same period.
Mahadevapura zone accounts for the highest quantity of illegal cables removed and they span a length of 312km. In the west zone, illegal cables of 182km length have been removed.
“Hanging OFC cables and wires are a big threat to people, as they can be hazardous if they come in contact with live wires. Many times, OFC cable operators take permission for a certain distance and later violate it, which we are not aware of until citizens point that out,” a BBMP official said.
The official denied that permission has been granted to cable TV operators. “Cable TV operators never reach out to BBMP for help. They do things according to their whims and fancies. This order will now help us crack down on them,” he added.