PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has declined to grant interim relief to the All Goa Internet Service Providers Association, which sought to stay the action of the Electricity Department regarding the removal of internet cables from electricity poles.
With this order, the department can proceed with its ongoing action to snap the illegal wires hanging on the poles and other electricity infrastructure.
The petitioner association alleged that the Electricity Department has been acting arbitrarily despite their adherence to due process. They pointed out that their Right of Way (RoW) application, submitted to the Department of Information Technology on November 22, 2023, is still pending.
In its petition, the Association stated that it had applied for RoW permission to place fiber networks across seven talukas in Goa.
However, despite multiple follow-ups, no formal approval was granted.
The petition further stated that the Department of Telecommunications launched the National RoW Policy on January 1, 2025, mandating all states, including Goa, to align their policies for seamless fiber deployment using electricity poles. In compliance with this policy, the petitioner made the necessary applications and fulfilled all required procedures. Despite the pending application, the Electricity Department allegedly began cutting the fiber optic cables.
The Association claimed that similar unauthorized cable-cutting activities took place in several locations, severely impacting broadband services. The petitioner also wrote to the IT Department on January 14, seeking immediate clarification and intervention against the alleged unlawful actions of the Electricity Department. However, they received no response.
Terming the actions of the Electricity Department as arbitrary, illegal and a direct violation of fundamental rights, the Association stated that these disruptions have significantly affected businesses and residents across the State.
The petition sought a restraining order against the Electricity Department from cutting fiber optic cables until the RoW application is duly processed and decided by the IT Department. It also requested a stay on any further optic cable disruptions in Goa.
Following the High Court's refusal to grant interim relief, the Electricity Department has decided to continue with the removal of cables.
Executive Engineer Kashinath Shetye confirmed that none of the service providers have paid their dues.
Since the petitioner's advocate sought time, the High Court adjourned the matter for the next hearing on March 18.
