Ward corporators must coordinate with us: BBMP

Bengaluru: Bengalureans’ internet connections are once again likely to go for a toss as the BBMP is planning another drive to get rid of unauthorised optical fibre cables (OFC) wound around trees in the city. The drive was carried out about a month ago and now another is in the offing to remove the unauthorised cables  strung on trees by private internet and telecommunications companies.

A senior BBMP officer says the previous drive was stopped as the agency was told to get rid of the flexes, banners and buntings first and then carry on with removing the OFC and lights strung on trees. “We had  asked the private companies themselves to remove the cables from the trees . If they have not, we will. In  July, we had also served notices to these private companies,” he reveals.

The drive will also be against the festive and halogen lights strung  on trees by business establishments. “We have observed that trees located opposite restaurants and shops have  lights strung on them to draw people’s attention. But  this is illegal and they too will be removed across all zones in the city,” the officer adds.

This time the BBMP intends to ask the corporators of each ward to take responsibility and co-ordinate with its officers in removing the OFC and lights, that  put the lives of  pedestrians at risk and harm the trees which have nails drilled into them to hang them. “We want the people to call up the BBMP control room or use the app to register complaints and we will ensure that immediate action is taken. As soon as the drive against flexes and banners is completed, we will begin the drive against the optical fibre cables,” the officer promises.

The previous drive in July was carried out on the orders of Deputy Chief Minister, Dr G Parameshwara.