Goa Electricity Dept Sets Deadline of Feb 1 to Remove or Regularize Cables on Poles

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Panaji: The Goa Electricity Department has started cracking down on unauthorized cables on electricity poles, beginning with Panaji.

In a meeting held on Monday, Executive Engineer Kashinath Shetye set a deadline of January 31 for all operators to either remove their cables from the poles or pay the required fees to the department.

The action, which began over the weekend in the capital city, severely affected internet and cable services, including news channels.

Internet operators had approached the electricity department requesting time to regularize the cables laid on the electricity poles.

Shetye stated that a 15-day window has been given for operators to pay their dues and regularize their presence on the poles, or face further action. He added that electricity department offices across Goa will begin enforcement as the cable operators and internet companies have not paid fees for the last two years, leading to a loss for the state exchequer.

Under the Information Technology policy, operators are required to pay Rs 300 per annum per pole for using the services. Shetye further clarified that wherever there are underground cables, no wires will be allowed to be laid on poles, and cables will have to be routed underground instead.

He also emphasized that by February 1, the department will begin removing the cables from the poles, as they have been causing inconvenience to electricity department staff when performing maintenance or repairs.

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