Bengaluru: BESCOM drive against unauthorised cables affects internet connectivity in pockets

Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has made a press release regarding its drive against unauthorised cables. It promised to have them removed within a week owing to the risks they pose to the safety of passers by. 

Their press note read, “Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) has decided to remove all illegal Optical Fibre Cables (OFCs), data cables and dish cables which is laid on electrical poles across BESCOM jurisdiction within a week. Due to unauthorised OFCs, Dish Cable and Internet Data cables laid on electric poles, two pedestrians are injured coming under the toppling electric poles in two separate incidents in Bengaluru. Following these two incidents, BESCOM has decided to remove all the unauthorised cables within one week. BESCOM has also stated if OFC & Dish cable operators do not remove these cables within one week, BESCOM itself will remove these cables and book cases against the concerned operators.” 

This has however caused problems with respect to continuous internet connectivity in pockets of the city such as Sarjapur. 

"A majority of the illegal wires have already been removed, and this is negatively impacting employees working from home. We kindly request better coordination between the management of Bescom and the BBMP OFC cell," Outer Ring Road Companies Association, an Association for all companies between Central Silk Board Junction and Krishnarajapuram in Outer Ring Road and Arterial Areas, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

BESCOM order today - all the illegal cables to be removed from electric poles within a week, else notices will be given and BESCOM will remove it themselves. Most of the illegal wires have been removed already and it is affecting work from home employees. We request better… pic.twitter.com/LSXgBcU9Ch

— Outer Ring Road Companies Association ® (@0RRCA) August 23, 2023