Bangalore internet outage issue: cable operators get 3-day notice on ‘illegal’ cables

In a bid to solve the standoff between Bangalore’s local civic body Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI), Bengaluru mayor Gangambike Mallikarjun has directed BBMP officials to ensure that cable operators are present during the drive to remove illegal cables in the city.

Bengaluru has been witnessing heavy internet outages in the last couple of weeks disrupting work of several IT firms located in India’s Silicon Valley. BBMP had gone ahead with their OFC cutting drive in areas of Outer Ring Road like Sarjapur Road, Whitefield, Marathahalli, Bellandur, and Sarjapur in East Bengaluru since last month.

Confirming the decision of the BBMP, the mayor told indianexpress.com that the decision was taken after a meeting was held at the BBMP headquarters in the city to solve the issue diplomatically. “We have also decided to give a three-day notice to the concerned cable operators before cutting the illegal cables. However, the drive to remove such cables will continue in the interest of the general public continuing to face issues with dangling cables in several areas in the city,” mayor Gangambike said.