Unused poles land BSNL in trouble in Kozhikode

Kozhikode: The BSNL is in a fix after the Lokayukta issued notices to them over failure to remove thousands of unused telephone poles along the highways across the state posing a threat to passengers, vehicles and pedestrians.

Acting on a complaint filed by social activist Ravi Ulliyeri, the anti-corruption ombudsman registered a case against telecom giant on October 14 and issued notices to its top officials and the PWD executive engineer (roads). According to a rough BSNL estimate, the district alone has more than 7,600 abandoned poles of which Koyilandy region has around 490 posts. Cable TV operators use them now.

Mr Ulliyeri said he was forced to approach Lokayukta as the PWD and BSNL failed to act despite countless complaints. There were many incidents in which these posts turn villains causing accidents as a majority of them are on roads.

“The authorities told me that BSNL had no funds allotted for removing them,” he told DC.

The cast-iron portion of the posts which goes below soil alone costs more than Rs 1,000 each. However, one of the respondents, divisional engineer S. Ramachandran, said it was not at all limited to the district or the state.

“It is a national issue that requires a corporate decision. If sold, the abandoned posts would bring additional revenue for the company,” he told DC.

However, sources said the BSNL was exploring possibilities to tender their removal hoping to generate some funds from it. They will submit the plan when Lokayukta Justice K.P. Balachandran takes up the matter on November 17.