Pune’s municipal administration is preparing to launch a citywide enforcement drive against illegal overhead cables, signalling a renewed focus on public safety, urban aesthetics, and long-term infrastructure resilience. The move comes amid mounting concerns that unregulated cable networks are undermining pedestrian safety, damaging streetscapes, and eroding municipal revenues in one of India’s fastest-growing urban economies. Officials confirmed that a joint enforcement framework is being developed in coordination with public utilities and power distribution agencies. The proposed Standard Operating Procedure will outline responsibilities, penalties, and timelines for compliance, with implementation expected after formal approval. Urban planners say the initiative could mark a turning point in how Indian cities address informal infrastructure that has quietly proliferated alongside digital growth.
Municipal regulations already require telecom, internet, television, and power lines to be routed underground. Yet, years of unchecked installations have resulted in dense webs of cables strung across footpaths, road crossings, and residential lanes. These networks not only distort the city’s visual character but also create daily hazards, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists, and two-wheeler users navigating narrow streets. City officials involved in inspections have flagged repeated incidents of cables snapping during monsoons, obstructing emergency access and causing injuries. From an urban governance perspective, the issue reflects a deeper challenge: aligning rapid digital infrastructure expansion with safety norms, land-use planning, and climate-resilient design. Beyond public safety, the economic implications are significant. Internal municipal assessments over the past decade have identified thousands of kilometres of unauthorised cabling linked to private operators.
Had statutory fees and penalties been systematically recovered, the city’s finances could have been strengthened substantially funds that urban economists argue could support public transport, footpath upgrades, or stormwater management. Experts note that illegal overhead cables also complicate road widening, metro construction, and utility repairs, increasing project delays and costs. In dense neighbourhoods, tangled wiring discourages formal redevelopment and depresses property values, affecting both homeowners and small businesses. The renewed enforcement push is being framed as part of a broader urban transformation effort rather than a one-off clean-up. Officials say the upcoming SOP will prioritise coordination between departments to prevent fragmented action, a problem that has stalled similar initiatives in the past.
Urban infrastructure specialists view the move as a necessary step toward modernising city services. Underground cabling, while capital-intensive upfront, offers long-term benefits: reduced maintenance costs, improved resilience during extreme weather, and safer, more inclusive public spaces. As Pune continues to attract investment in technology, housing, and transport, the success of this drive will depend on consistent enforcement and transparent engagement with service providers. For residents, the coming months could determine whether safer streets and cleaner skylines finally replace the cable clutter that has become an accepted yet risky feature of urban life.
