PANAJI
The Goa Electricity Department (GED) got a boost in its drive to clear overhead cables belonging to Cable TV and Internet service providers from its electricity poles with the Bombay High Court refusing to grant a stay on a plea filed by cable operators but Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes said they will proceed cautiously to avoid disruption of internet services across the State.
Thursday's refusal by the Bombay High Court to stay the action effectively allows GED to continue its drive to remove what it describes as “unauthorized encumbrances” that obstruct maintenance work on the State’s power infrastructure.
For years, service providers have strung their cables across electricity poles without independent support structures, creating a tangle that GED officials say hampers routine repair and poses safety risks.
Fernandes, when contacted, stressed that the department will proceed cautiously.
“We have to come up with a tangible solution. Someone will have to put up infrastructure independent of the Electricity Department’s poles to hang these cables on, going forward,” Fernandes told The Goan.
Fernandes acknowledged that indiscriminate cutting of the cables could disrupt internet services for thousands of households and businesses across Goa and the government must be mindful of the consequences.
“The smart approach is to first test how removal can be managed without causing widespread outages. Blind cutting of these cables could affect connectivity for a large number of people,” Fernandes explained.
He added that while the department is determined to rid its poles of unauthorized cables, it must balance enforcement with the need to protect essential services.
The issue has long been a point of contention between GED and private operators. Officials argue that the cables not only obstruct maintenance crews but also pose hazards during storms and heavy rains, when dangling wires increase the risk of accidents.
The department insists that the practice of using electricity poles for non power cables is “wrong” and must be phased out.
Industry representatives, meanwhile, have warned that sudden removal could cripple internet and television services, especially in urban areas where demand is high. They have urged the government to facilitate alternative infrastructure before enforcing strict action.
With the High Court refusing to intervene, GED now has legal backing to press ahead. The department is expected to chart a phased plan that begins with clearing the most congested areas while exploring long term solutions for service providers.
For consumers, the outcome could mean short term disruptions but, officials argue, a safer and more reliable electricity network in the long run.
