VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) will soon remove all cables of internet service providers from the electricity poles in Vasco city.
Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar directed MMC Chairperson Girish Borker on Monday to take immediate steps to ensure the removal of unauthorised data cables from internet service providers (ISPs) on the electricity poles in Vasco.
The decision came after a joint inspection of the underground cabling works in Vasco, with MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, councilors, and electricity department officials.
Speaking to the media later, Salkar mentioned that initially, inactive cables of ISPs were removed, and now, the data cables of unauthorized ISPs will be removed.
“We recently had a joint meeting with all ISP operators and requested them to place cables underground while power cables are being laid. Some operators have agreed and are in the process of laying data cables underground. However, some ISPs lack the required statutory licenses from the telecom department, leading to revenue losses, posing threats of cybercrimes, and making the city aesthetically unpleasant with cables cluttering the poles,” said Salkar.
He directed MMC Chairperson Girish Borker, who informed the Chief Officer to take immediate action on these cables and service providers.
Salkar highlighted that he had raised the issue in the assembly, but the government lacked a policy to address it.
He intends to bring up the matter in the assembly again and urged operators to contribute to the city by obtaining necessary permissions and licenses.
“I have informed the electricity department engineers to cut all data cables once the underground cabling works are completed within a month. If these operators fail to comply within this time limit, they will face consequences once the works are finished,” warned Salkar.
