Bhubaneswar’s skyline could soon look safer and cleaner, as the city’s civic authority has promised strict action against the uncontrolled spread of overhead wires hanging across electric and streetlight poles. The assurance comes after growing public concern over the safety hazards posed by dangling power, telecom, and internet cables that not only mar the city’s aesthetics but also endanger pedestrians and motorists.
Citizen activists have raised alarms about the growing tangle of wires in busy localities, pointing out that poles originally designed for limited electrical load are now supporting an unsafe mix of multiple utility lines. Urban residents have observed that these overloaded poles are gradually tilting, especially during monsoon storms or high winds, creating the risk of sudden collapses and fire incidents. The situation has worsened along major roads such as the Jaydev Vihar–Nandankanan corridor, where several poles reportedly lean dangerously over traffic lanes. Officials from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) have acknowledged the issue and stated that enforcement squads will soon be reactivated to identify and remove unauthorised cables. The civic administration admitted that while overhead wire clearing drives are conducted periodically, unauthorised operators often reinstall the wires, leading to a recurring safety threat. The renewed crackdown aims not just to remove the clutter but also to permanently regulate the installation of new connections through safer, underground cabling systems.
The BMC also plans to carry out a comprehensive safety audit of streetlight and electric poles citywide, prioritising those that appear unstable or damaged. Officials confirmed that poles found to be tilting or structurally weak would be replaced to prevent any accidents. The civic body is coordinating with power and telecom agencies to identify ownership of cables and establish clear accountability for maintenance and safety compliance. Urban planners and sustainability experts have long argued that Bhubaneswar’s progress towards becoming a smart city depends on better urban design standards, which include cleaner streetscapes and safer infrastructure. They note that overhead wires not only pose a safety risk but also undermine the city’s visual identity and resilience goals. Shifting essential utilities underground, experts say, aligns with climate-resilient urban planning and enhances disaster preparedness, especially in coastal regions prone to cyclones.
For Bhubaneswar, the move marks a crucial step towards safer, more organised, and aesthetically appealing urban spaces. If implemented effectively, the initiative could set a benchmark for other Indian cities struggling with similar infrastructure clutter. The challenge, however, will lie in ensuring long-term enforcement, sustained coordination among utilities, and public cooperation to keep the city’s skyline free of hazardous tangles.
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