Thiruvananthapuram plans removal of unsafe overhead cables

Thiruvananthapuram's municipal corporation has drawn up a project to remove improperly installed telephone and internet cables. The Hindu reported on October 10 that the programme would cover 101 wards, beginning with five.

Palayam, Fort, Kannammoola, Thycaud and Perunthanni have been selected for the first phase. Contractors will cut and remove untagged cables and use machines to tidy the remaining lines. Mayor V.V. Rajesh is scheduled to launch the project on Monday at 5 p.m.

The city council had previously passed a resolution demanding removal of the unsafe lines. In a statement cited by the newspaper, the corporation said such cables had caused accidents, including deaths. Since they had not been removed, the municipality plans to do the work itself and seek compensation from service providers.

The plan was prepared at a meeting chaired by Town Planning Standing Committee chairperson Pattoor Radhakrishnan. Councillors, government department officials, service providers and franchise representatives took part in the discussions.