<p>The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the BBMP to consider launching a drive against unauthorised cables dangling from footpaths and streets after giving a month’s notice to internet service providers and cable TV operators. </p>.<p>A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka also directed the authorities to continue the ongoing drive of removing unauthorised cables from footpaths/streets across Bengaluru. </p>.<p>The court was hearing a PIL petition by N P Amrutesh, a city lawyer.</p>.<p>The petitioner has filed an interlocutory application seeking to make the cable TV operators’ association and telecom/internet service providers as respondents in the petition. The court permitted him to file amended copies of the petition in two weeks and ordered issuing notices to the new respondents. </p>.<p>The court stipulated that the BBMP can give cable operators and internet service providers a month’s notice, at the end of which it should start a drive to remove any cables that are found dangling from footways/streets. </p>.<p>The petition stated that hanging/dangling electric/internet/TV cables pose a danger to the public. Citing media reports, it said the city witnessed 507 deaths due to electrocution from 2015 to 2019.</p>.<p>The petition also cited a survey conducted by the BBMP and Bescom that showed that the city has more than 7,000 structures, mostly houses, right under high-tension power lines. </p>
<p>The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed the BBMP to consider launching a drive against unauthorised cables dangling from footpaths and streets after giving a month’s notice to internet service providers and cable TV operators. </p>.<p>A division bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka also directed the authorities to continue the ongoing drive of removing unauthorised cables from footpaths/streets across Bengaluru. </p>.<p>The court was hearing a PIL petition by N P Amrutesh, a city lawyer.</p>.<p>The petitioner has filed an interlocutory application seeking to make the cable TV operators’ association and telecom/internet service providers as respondents in the petition. The court permitted him to file amended copies of the petition in two weeks and ordered issuing notices to the new respondents. </p>.<p>The court stipulated that the BBMP can give cable operators and internet service providers a month’s notice, at the end of which it should start a drive to remove any cables that are found dangling from footways/streets. </p>.<p>The petition stated that hanging/dangling electric/internet/TV cables pose a danger to the public. Citing media reports, it said the city witnessed 507 deaths due to electrocution from 2015 to 2019.</p>.<p>The petition also cited a survey conducted by the BBMP and Bescom that showed that the city has more than 7,000 structures, mostly houses, right under high-tension power lines. </p>
