Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has launched a citywide drive to remove unused, untagged and improperly laid overhead cables, beginning in Palayam and covering all 101 wards in a phased operation aimed at reducing safety risks for pedestrians and motorists.
Mayor V V Rajesh inaugurated the initiative in front of the Martyrs’ Column at Palayam and cut overhead cables outside Kannimara Market after the launch. The first phase will cover five wards: Palayam, Fort, Kannammoola, Thycaud and Perunthanni.
The corporation said the drive will target abandoned or untagged telephone and internet wires, as well as cables installed in a haphazard manner. The civic body has linked such overhead networks to accidents and, in some cases, loss of life. The removal programme is intended to improve road safety and bring greater order to the city’s cable infrastructure.
The corporation had earlier adopted a council resolution calling for the removal of such cables. Under the implementation plan, service providers will be given the opportunity to clear cables connected to their networks. If agencies fail to remove them, the corporation has decided to cut the cables directly and recover the cost of the work from the concerned service providers.
The first phase will involve cutting down all untagged cables. Cables that remain in use will be bundled and secured using machines so that they are arranged more systematically. Divine Network has been awarded the contract to carry out the work.
The implementation plan was prepared at a meeting chaired by town planning standing committee chairperson Pattoor Radhakrishnan. Councillors, corporation officials from different departments, service providers and franchise operators attended the meeting, bringing together the agencies responsible for the city’s streets and communications infrastructure.
The opening phase begins in areas that include the corporation’s main office and several established city neighbourhoods. Palayam is a major urban activity area, while Fort, Thycaud, Kannammoola and Perunthanni contain busy roads, markets, residential areas and public institutions. Removing redundant lines from these locations will test how the corporation coordinates with private network operators before extending the programme across the city.
The initiative also creates a formal responsibility for service providers to identify and maintain their own cables. Without clear tagging, streets can accumulate disconnected wires as networks change hands, services are cancelled or new lines are installed. The corporation’s plan combines removal of abandoned lines with mechanical bundling of cables that continue to serve customers.
Health standing committee chairperson M R Gopan presided over the inauguration meeting, while Radhakrishnan welcomed those attending. Councillors Venugopal, Cleetus, Harikumar S, Shruthi, Deepa and Sherly, along with superintending engineer Sajeesh and assistant executive engineer Suma, were present. The corporation is expected to extend the drive to the remaining wards after the first phase.
