Pune Municipal Corporation Suspends Cable Removal Drive for Regulatory Alignment
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has decided to suspend its drive to remove overhead cables, barely a month after its launch. This decision comes as the civic body seeks to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework aligned with the 2023-24 directives from the Union power and communications ministries.
Standing Committee Decision and Timeline
The decision was taken at a standing committee meeting held on Thursday. Committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale announced that the civic administration has been directed to draft and submit a formal regulatory framework aligned with central government guidelines within the next 10 days. "Until the framework is finalised, the cable removal drive will remain halted," Bhimale stated emphatically.
Central Regulations and Municipal Limitations
Civic officials clarified that central regulations already govern overhead cabling, and municipal bodies cannot carry out arbitrary removals. A senior official explained, "Cables providing essential services cannot be removed under the national guidelines. Instead, they must be regularised under a defined legal structure." The official further noted that in some cases, such cables are permitted to run along municipal streetlight poles, subject to prescribed conditions.
Formation of Dedicated Committee
To address the issue comprehensively, PMC has constituted a dedicated committee comprising:
- Civic officials
- Representatives of various telecom firms
This committee will work collaboratively to ensure the new framework addresses all stakeholder concerns while complying with central directives.
Parallel Actions on Illegal Hoardings
Meanwhile, the standing committee approved the appointment of a private consultant to conduct a survey of illegal hoardings across Pune. Sky sign department officials revealed that action has already been taken against 67 unauthorised hoardings. "Authorised hoarding owners owe the civic body nearly Rs 70-80 crore in pending dues," an official disclosed. Bhimale has issued a strict one-month deadline for the recovery of these arrears.
Revenue Enhancement Initiatives
In an effort to boost municipal revenue and meet the ambitious Rs 15,669 crore budget target for the 2026-27 financial year, PMC has formed a joint committee comprising:
- Standing committee members
- The municipal commissioner
- The chief accounts officer
This panel will focus on improving tax collection efficiency and exploring new revenue streams to strengthen the city's financial position.
The suspension of the cable removal drive represents a strategic pause as Pune works to establish proper regulatory mechanisms that balance urban aesthetics with essential service provision. The coming weeks will be crucial as the civic administration works against tight deadlines to develop frameworks that serve both regulatory compliance and practical urban management needs.
