B'lore: BBMP to remove illegaly laid optical fibre cables

Bangalore, May 23: In its drive to remove illegal optical fibre cables(OFC) laid underground by service operators, the BBMP is determined to bring out new policy to modulate using the public places for laying off cables.

After the removing illegally laid OFCs from public spaces, S Harish, Deputy Mayor, BBMP, saidthe Palike plans to come up with new rule to prevent such things from happening in the future.

"The new policy will ban all illegal connections. Right now, we have given a 10-day deadline to all service providers and contractors to get themselves registered with the BBMP head office.A separate cell will be opened in the head office for registration and for information," he said.

BBMP office has been receiving complaints regarding service providers who dig up roads for laying OFCs without permission. Corporators at the BBMP council meetings complained that service providers even drew OFCs through sewage water pipes, so they could save money and avoid taking the approval of the authorities.

A BBMP officer, who is part of the team involved in removing illegal OFCs and cables said, “Most cable TV operations are owned by politicians or local corporators or their friends or relatives. There will be immense pressure on us while entering such areas and there are even chances of violence. Even though Bangalore Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) personnel are accompanying us, we have to be cautious. So we are limiting ourselves to about 30 minutes or one hour on the field. We return every day with illegally laid cables and resume our drive the next day. We are also informing local corporators before conducting the drive just to make sure there is no untoward incident."

"BBMP officers and staff need not fear anybody and can go ahead with the drive as BMTF and police personnel will be part of the implementing party," ascertained the Deputy Mayor.

OneIndia News