Hefty fines await OFC cable operators in city

Bangalore, Feb 12 (PTI) Bruhut Bangalore Mahanagara Palike(BBMP) has decided to slap hefty pentalty on agencies whichillegally laid Optic Fire Cables (OFC) inside seweragepipelines, leading to their clogging and triggerring offproblems to the authorities.

A meeting of the Coordination Committee here yesterday,chaired by Advisor to Chief Minister on Urban Affairs, ARavindra and BBMP Commissioner Siddaiah took a serious view ofthe violations committed by the agencies in clandestinelylaying cables inside the sewerage chambers.

Innumerable complaints received by Bangalore Water Supplyand Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on clogging of sewerage lines wasprimarily due to blockages created by these cables, sourcessaid.

Fines up to Rs one crore should be levied from theseagencies.

Sources in BBMP said majority of operators have soughtpermission to lay cables for one km stretech but undertookwork on several kilometers denying statutory fees to theCorporation.

Surces said Siddaiah informed the meeting that 5.60 lakhproperties in the city have been mapped under GRS and 3.50lakh have already been assessed for property tax.

The remaining would soon be brought under the tax net,resulting in higher revenues to the corporation, sources said.