PANAJI
The Electricity Department on Monday issued a fresh 10-day ultimatum to TV cable and internet service providers, directing the removal of their wires from all electricity poles and infrastructure. The public notice gives a stern warning that failure to comply will result in officials cutting the cables in the interest of public safety.
Executive Engineer and Nodal Officer for Land Acquisition and Property Management Kashinath Shetye stated that the illegal cable, Optical Fibre Cable and other illegal infrastructure on electricity poles exist without valid permission and without any stability certificate from the department.
“…seek the removal of the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 by the facility providers, have been put to notice to remove all illegal cables and infrastructure from the electricity poles and other electricity “furniture” within 10 days from the date of this notice,” reads the notice adding,
“From the expiry of 10 days, the JE/AE/EE of the electricity department having the jurisdiction over the area will clear all such illegal cables and infrastructure from the electricity poles as it is against public interest and in the safety of the public at large.”
On January 22, the High Court of Bombay at Goa dismissed an application filed by the Goa Cable TV Networking and Service Providers Association seeking relief from the cutting of illegally installed overhead wires. The department estimated a loss of about Rs 50 crore due to non-compliance with fee payments by the association members.
The operators thereafter agreed to pay the fees with a request for time to shift the cables. A deadline of February 1 was granted followed by the public notice.
The department claimed it has not received any application from any license holder to undertake a survey in respect of underground or overground telecommunication or cable network. There is no application to even install these networks.
“It is seen that the structural stability certificate of the pole herein called “furniture” for laying and maintenance of the telecommunication and cable network is not obtained and the stringing of the over-ground cables and OFC is without permission and without following safety measures in an up-hazard manner,” it said.
