Pune civic body begins crackdown on 3,600 km illegal overhead cable network

The drive follows a recent PMC survey which found nearly 3,600 km of overhead cables laid across the city without permission

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Wednesday launched a citywide crackdown on illegal overhead cables, warning of fines and sterner action in the coming days. A joint team comprising officials from the civic electrical department, anti-encroachment wing and fire brigade on Wednesday carried out the action near Adinath society, Satara road, among others.

The PMC will carry out weekly drives across the city. (HT PHOTO)

The drive, initiated by standing committee chairman Shreenath Bhimale, follows a recent PMC survey which found nearly 3,600 km of overhead cables laid across the city without permission. Bhimale said that these cables pose a serious safety risk. “Many of these cables are strung using ropes and substandard material, which is life-threatening. There have been recent accidents linked to overhead cables,” he said.

“As per the rules, overhead cabling — largely done by telecom operators — is not permitted. Many have neither taken permission nor followed safety norms,” Bhimale said and added that in several cases, even underground cabling has been carried out without approvals and by using unsafe materials.

The PMC will carry out weekly drives across the city. “The action will continue every week. Care will be taken to ensure it does not disrupt essential services or police operations,” Bhimale said.

Head of the civic electrical department, Manisha Shekatkar, said that the civic body has already removed and seized nearly 123 km of illegal cables. “Apart from safety hazards, these cables also affect the city’s skyline and create multiple civic issues,” she said.

A civic official, on condition of anonymity, said that avoiding the high cost of underground cabling has led to rampant illegal overhead installations, often with local support. The PMC has also found instances of cables being laid inside stormwater drains to bypass excavation costs. “These cables end up choking the drains, leading to waterlogging in several areas,” an official said and added that further action is underway.