Pune’s Overhead Cable Clean-Up Plan Hits Political Hurdle, Proposal Withdrawn from GB Due to Alleged Differences Within BJP At Last Minute

Pune, 26th August 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) proposed policy to regulate unauthorised overhead cables and make them underground within a year was withdrawn at the last minute after it came up for final approval before the general body.

The proposal, already approved by the standing committee, was withdrawn amid reports of differences within the ruling BJP and intervention by senior party leaders. The move is being seen as a setback for standing committee chairman Shrinath Bhimale, who had spearheaded the policy. Bhimale reportedly left the house after the proposal was withdrawn.

The policy sought to give existing overhead cables a temporary one-year permission while requiring telecom, internet and broadband companies to gradually shift them underground.

Telecom companies would have been charged an annual fee of Rs 3 lakh per km, while internet and broadband firms would have paid Rs 1 lakh per km.

The PMC also planned a joint survey and GIS mapping of all overhead cables in the city. Details such as the cable route, ownership and company information were to be recorded.

Each cable was also to carry the company’s name, a 24-hour emergency contact number and licence or QR number.

Unauthorised cables would have attracted a penalty of Rs 2,000 per metre.

The policy was aimed at curbing the growing cable clutter on roads, poles and buildings, improving public safety and increasing civic revenue.

The policy had received unanimous approval in the standing committee, including support from opposition members. It was therefore expected to clear the general body without major opposition.

However, just before the proposal was taken up, differences reportedly emerged within the BJP. House leader Ganesh Bidkar discussed the matter with Mayor Manjusha Nagpure and later with Bhimale.

When the overhead cable proposal was called, Bidkar announced that it was being withdrawn.

The decision surprised several members present in the house and triggered speculation about differences within the ruling party. There was also talk of intervention by senior BJP leaders.

Neither Bhimale nor Bidkar has officially commented on the withdrawal.

The city has been grappling with a tangled network of overhead cables for years. Cables hanging from electric poles and buildings not only mar the cityscape but also pose safety risks when they snap, sag or fall onto roads.

With the proposed policy now withdrawn, questions remain over whether it will be brought back with changes, what will happen to the proposed one-year transition period and how the PMC will proceed against unauthorised overhead cables.