Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The dispute over hanging communication cables returned to the High Court this week after a petition challenged the recent drive to remove unsafe lines. The case stems from an incident in which a father and son were injured while passing under a cluster of cables that had sagged dangerously close to the road. The accident triggered a safety review and a series of enforcement actions by the Public Works Department, which maintains that unregulated installations have created serious hazards across several stretches.
Following the latest hearing, Executive Engineer Kashinath Shetye said the department has submitted a detailed report explaining how the two residents sustained injuries on their leg and hand. He said the High Court reiterated that it will not restrain officials from removing cables when they pose a threat to public safety. The court declined to continue the stay on cable cutting and instructed the department to clear dense clusters hanging from poles.
The issue has been building for years as multiple private operators expanded their networks without formal approval. Shetye said the system requires operators to file applications with the department before laying or stringing cables. He added that arrears of about Rs 110 crore remain unpaid and until these dues are settled, the department cannot grant permission for further installations.
Officials say the clean-up drive will continue, with priority given to areas where heavy cable bunching has been reported. The department is expected to file a compliance update in the coming weeks.
