Remove overhead cable wires: NDMC

If you live in New Delhi area and have a cable connection at home, chances are that it will be disconnected after a month.

If you live in New Delhi area and have a cable connection at home, chances are that it will be disconnected after a month.

HT Image

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has issued a public notice asking cable operators and Internet service providers in its jurisdiction to remove wires hanging on to street poles.

If they are not removed within a month’s time, cable and Internet lines will be disconnected and many homes will not get cable connection or Internet service. The civic agency has directed these service providers to shift all these wires underground by next month.

“We have found that many cable operators and Internet service providers, while operating their networks, tie the cables to street poles or hang them overhead illegally,” said Anand Tiwari, spokesperson of NDMC.

“We have issued a public notice to them and if they fail to remove the wires, we will remove them on our own,” he added.

The civic agency has also claimed that ahead of the Commonwealth Games, they want to improve the aesthetic beauty of the city and these wires tied to street poles look quite shabby.

“If they don’t remove it this time, they will face prosecution. They need to apply for permission to dig up roads and shift all these wires underground, as is the norm,” he added.

However, residents of the New Delhi area are not too happy with the civic body’s ultimatum.

“We have a cable connection at home and if NDMC is going to remove them, at least more time should be given to these
operators to make other arrangements,” said Pravin Gupta, a resident of Bengali market.

Residents further claimed that though the wires have been hanging illegally for 15 years, no action was initiated earlier.

“One month is too short a time for cable operators to shift wires underground. These wires have been tied to street poles illegally for a long time. Why was no action initiated earlier?” asked Asha Singh, a resident of Gole Market, New Delhi.