BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Cable Operators’ Association has threatened to stop their services across the state from next week if cables cut by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) are not restored.
Recently, BBMP authorities from the Optical Fibre Cable Cell cut over 8,000 metres of cables strung on trees and poles. They said they were laid illegally without paying the prescribed fee to the civic agency.
Association president Patrick Raju said they had initially planned to stop service for three-four hours on Sunday. “However, we felt it is not good to harass the public. So, we decided to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday. If we do not get positive response from him, we will stop cable service across the state,” he said.
Raju alleged that they have lost Rs 65 crore after the cables were cut. “BBMP officials have not issued any notices. In Bengaluru, 1,800 cable operators are working and more than 20,000 people are working in this industry. We have laid cables over the past 30 years. All these years, cables were laid above trees and poles. If they want to cut these cables, they should make an alternative arrangement,” he urged.
According to Raju, cable service to at least 20 per cent of the homes in East Bengaluru have been disrupted. Some cable operators offer internet services too and that also has been affected too, he added.
Another cable operator said BBMP officials have allowed telecom service providers to lay underground OFC without taking permission at many places. “This is because the telecom service providers have paid bribes. We cable operators are poor and do not have money to pay. So, they have disconnected our cables,” he added.