Internet cable removal: Telangana HC issues notices to GHMC, TGSPDCL

The Telangana High Court issued notices to GHMC and TGSPDCL on Airtel’s plea challenging the removal of its fibre cables from electricity poles. The Court observed the issue went beyond services to accountability for lives lost in the Ramanthapur tragedy

Hyderabad: Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) on a writ petition filed by Bharti Airtel, challenging the removal of its optical fibre cables fixed to electricity poles across the city.

The petition follows the recent Ramanthapur tragedy, in which five persons died after coming into contact with a live cable during a Sri Krishnashtami procession. In the aftermath, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka directed officials to remove all cables from electricity poles on a war footing.

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Airtel’s counsel argued that the company had lawfully installed its cables, paying the requisite charges for using the poles, but officials were cutting and removing them without notice, causing widespread disruption of internet services. The petitioner further contended that the GHMC’s action violated the Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024, and the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

The Court observed that the matter was not only about restoring services but also about accountability for the loss of lives.

“How can the Centre, the State, GHMC and service providers blame one another? Everyone is responsible for this tragedy. People’s lives deserve some mercy,” Justice Bheemapaka remarked.

Counsel for the TGSPDCL countered that human lives must take precedence over internet services and alleged that operators had laid cables beyond the permitted limits of the poles.

Granting interim relief, the Court directed that no further cables be removed until the next hearing and posted the matter to Friday.