Ranchi Civic Body Takes Action Against Overhead Cable Menace
The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) has taken a firm stance against the growing safety hazards posed by unauthorized overhead cables in the city. On Thursday, the civic body issued a strict week-long ultimatum to all cable operators and telecom service providers operating within Ranchi.
Ultimatum for Valid Permissions
RMC officials have directed these operators to furnish valid permission documents for the cables they have installed on electric poles across the city. This decisive move aims to address the critical safety risks associated with sagging and tangled overhead cables, particularly in busy urban areas.
The municipal corporation stated clearly: "Unauthorized installation of cable wires and optical fibre cables on electric poles is significantly affecting traffic flow. Furthermore, there exists a genuine possibility of accidents occurring due to hanging wires. All cable operators are hereby directed to submit their valid permission documents within seven days."
Consequences of Non-Compliance
The civic body has warned that in the absence of proper documentation, the unauthorized cables will be systematically removed and seized. Full responsibility for any consequences will rest squarely with the cable agency owners, according to the official statement released by RMC.
Transforming Roads into Danger Zones
This development comes as numerous busy roads, crowded intersections, and high-traffic crossings in Ranchi have gradually transformed into potential danger zones. The proliferation of tangled overhead cables hanging from electric poles, trees, advertising hoardings, and even traffic posts has created a pervasive urban hazard.
Residents and daily commuters have expressed growing concerns about the city's increasingly cluttered skyline of wires. Loose and sagging cables not only create visual pollution but pose genuine risks of accidents and potential structural collapses in affected areas.
Key Areas Affected
Several prominent locations across Ranchi have been particularly impacted by this cable chaos. In areas including Doranda, Hinoo, and Harmu, traffic police kiosks have been repurposed as unofficial cable storage points. Multiple wires are routinely coiled, tied, and routed through these structures, compromising their original function.
Nita Kumara, a regular commuter near Doranda College, shared her observation: "The traffic post is supposed to serve for visibility and control, but now it's essentially just a bundle of wires. You rarely see anyone standing there anymore for actual traffic management purposes."
Broader Safety Implications
The RMC's intervention highlights the broader implications of unregulated cable installation on urban infrastructure and public safety. By enforcing permission requirements and removing unauthorized installations, the civic body aims to restore order to the city's overhead spaces and reduce preventable hazards for all Ranchi residents.
This systematic approach to cable management represents a significant step toward creating safer urban environments while ensuring that essential telecommunications services operate within regulated frameworks that prioritize public welfare.
