The issue of unauthorised Optical Fibre Cables (OFC) and the loss of money dominated the BBMP council meeting on Saturday. At the receiving end were the Chief Engineer (OFC) and his department.
The council was united in its view that the civic agency is losing out on potential revenue and accused the engineers of tardiness and irresponsibility.
“We need to get at least Rs. 700 crore for the use of these cables but we have managed to collect only Rs. 200 crore so far. The engineer will have to answer for this,” charged ruling party leader R.S. Sathyanarayana, while giving a brief account of how little the BBMP is making from the different companies that use optical fibre cables for providing services like telecom connectivity, internet and television.
He was supported by several other councillors who gave their own account of cable wires cropping up in their wards and how the OFC Engineering Department had not been responding to their complaints.
Official’s response
Chief Engineer (OFC) Somashekar, however, said that his department has checked over 1,200 kilometres of unauthorised cables. “We have taken pictures and done everything right,” he explained, adding that they had collected Rs. 3.37 crore in penalties so far this year.
Some other councillors complained that companies were obtaining online permission for one ward and then using the same to lay their cables in nearby wards.
“Does this mean that you have been knowingly awarding contracts to thieves,” asked the Mayor. The Council said that it will seriously consider replacing the Chief Engineer.
