Mangaluru 'Smart City' has a cable problem!

Mangaluru: Cables, cables everywhere… ‘Smart city’ Mangaluru has a cable problem! Cables can be seen haphazardly bundled, rolled, and hanging low from electric poles, many a time blocking footpaths leaving no room for people to walk.

These unmanaged cables are not only an eyesore but also a safety menace for pedestrians in the city. A small lapse and pedestrians are sure to trip on a wire and injure themselves.

Despite the obvious danger posed by these cables, the administration seems to be silent on it.

Cables are not visible in the State Bank area of the city where underground electric cables have been laid eliminating the need for electric poles. However, the problem is acute in other areas of the city including Bavutagudda, Jyoti, Bunts Hostel, Kadri, and Bejai.

In many places, the electric poles themselves are not visible under the entangled mess of cables. Some complain that MESCOM linemen cannot access the power lines for repair due to the messy wires. It also poses danger to the lineman in case of emergencies and also increases the chances of mishaps during maintenance work.

According to the rules, a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from MESCOM is required before fixing cables to electric poles. MESCOM officials need to inspect the site and issue the NOC.  Only then can the cabling can be completed. However, the present situation in the city raises doubts about whether the requisite rules were followed before laying these cables.