Rules no relief as telcos dig newly asphalted road in Whitefield

Road digging for laying optical fibre cables (OFC) is going on unabated in the city, despite clear rules and emphasis laid by BBMP on prohibition on cutting for a year after a road has been asphalted.

One recent case is that of ECC Road in Whitefield that has been dug up by telecom companies.

Residents who were fighting for years to get the road repaired were relieved that the road connecting the oldest part of Whitefield to the new ITPB-EPIP tech zone was asphalted seven months ago.

Now, the situation is back to worse with uneven footpaths, OFC cables popping out and bumpy roads. One of the telecom companies started laying cables in spite of stiff opposition from residents.

“The company dug four pits at one corner of the stretch. The road has turned uneven even after the pits were filled. On the night of January 30, I saw workers of another telecom operator digging the road. The OFC cell of BBMP is doling out permits at will without caring a bit for helpless citizens,” said Anuj Singh, a volunteer of Whitefield Rising (WR).

Gautham Mishra, another resident and WR volunteer, said the ECC Road was asphalted in June last year.

“According to clause 4 of the OFC cell rules and regulations, laying of cables in newly asphalted roads is strictly prohibited for a period of one year. Both the civic agency and telecom operators are at fault,” Mishra said.

Ramakrishna Reddy, a BBMP engineer from Mahadevapura zone, said the OFC cell has granted permission to telecom companies under emergency works.

“We have directed the companies to stop the work and have inspected the place. After discussing with higher officials, we will take a decision on whether to let them continue the road digging work or not.”