Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Following the Electricity Department’s action to remove dangling cables from electricity poles in North Goa, internet service providers and cable operators have been scrambling to restore services for affected customers.
The move comes since the internet service providers ignored department’s notice to remove the cables.
Today morning staff from various service providers were seen working quickly to re-hoist data and TV cables back onto the poles.
The sudden removal of these cables caused widespread disruption, with many residents losing internet and cable TV connectivity. The disruption caused embarrassment in several offices and left residents without access to their favourite TV channels.
The disruption has also caused inconvenience to residents and businesses relying on the internet for daily operations.
Large sections of severed wires have been strewn across roads and sidewalks in numerous locations throughout the state, making it difficult for pedestrians to walk. However, offices that used BSNL lines were unaffected by the internet cable cutting.
After receiving numerous consumer complaints, the electrical department slowed down its cable-cutting operations later in the day.
It should be mentioned that following the implementation of the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 in January of this year, the power department began removing cables from the poles. The new regulations require the ISPs to pay a fee of Rs 300 per year for each of the 3,20,000 power poles in the state.
Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Monday refused to grant a stay to the All Goa Internet Service Providers’ Association against the electricity department’s action of cutting their cables on electricity poles due to policy violations.
He said that the HC has refused to grant the stay. “We have sought legal opinion and have been advised that we can go ahead,” he said.
Meanwhile, executive engineer of the electricity department Kashinath Shetye had been relieved of these responsibilities.
Shailesh Naik Burye, Superintending Engineer, (commercial) office of the Chief Electrical Engineer, Panaji, had been appointed as the nodal officer for North Goa, while Rajiv Samant, Superintending Engineer, South Goa, Margao, has been appointed as the nodal officer for South Goa.
