Cable damage: BSNL seeks compensation from CMC

Chikkaballapur drainage work puts public to hardship

The construction of drainage at various locations in the City has sent the traffic haywire apart from putting road using public to hardship. The trenches on road sides and the heap of mud have been impeding free movement of vehicles and pedestrians alike.

The underground cables laid by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for telecommunication network have been exposed during during digging. Since the work is not being carried out in a planned manner, cables worth lakhs of rupees have been stolen.

“Since the project is being executed without any plans, roads have been dug at will. The underground cables have been damaged completely as a result of which telephone services have been affected,” a senior BSNL office told Deccan Herald. The BSNL has also requested the police to act against cable thieves.

Damage to signal transmitting cables would obstruct connectivity to hospitals, banks, government offices and essential services like fire and emergency department. Even there is apprehension of majority of ATMs stopping function. Repeated appeals to the municipal commissioner to instruct the labourers on carrying out work carefully went in vain, he said.

The officer also said the BSNL had told the City Municipality that its engineers would be present at the time of digging so as to ensure that cables are not damaged. But CMC
didn’t respond to the suggestion.

Compensation sought

With no other go, the BSNL has written to the Municipal Commissioner to pay Rs 84,910 as compensation for the damage caused to the cables.

“We have given the telephone numbers in our letter for immediate response. However, there is neither any call nor any written communication from the municipality so far,” he regretted. The officer stated that further action would be taken on the direction of the higher officers.

The trenches dug for the drainage pose danger to road users as well. “We fear to ride two-wheelers as roads have been dig at will and heaps of mud line up the stretch. Rains further aggravates the problem. We fear for the safety of our children till they return home from school,” said Anwar, a resident of Darga Mohalla.

The fate of Thimmegowdanakere Road, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Elepet, Vapasandra and North Extension is no different. The project which should have been taken up in summer has been launched in rainy season.

Patients coming to district hospital struggle a lot to reach the health facility. Roads have turned into paddy fields with raining as dug mud has not been spread evenly. People are of the opinion that it would be in public interest if the municipality continues with the work after monsoon.