PMC Crackdown on Illegal Cables in Pune: 24 Km Lines Removed, Operators Reinstall Quickly
Pune, 10th April 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) carried out a three-day drive in Wadgaon Sheri and Nagar Road areas to remove unauthorised overhead broadband cables, cutting nearly 24 kilometres of illegal wiring.
However, the action had only a temporary impact, as private operators reinstalled cables almost immediately after they were removed.
The crackdown comes after civic officials revealed that nearly 3,600 kilometres of unauthorised cables are spread across Pune city. Acting on directions from the standing committee chairman, the PMC’s electrical department formed special teams to undertake a citywide removal drive.
During the operation in the Nagar Road belt, officials removed around 1,600 metres of illegal cables in Wagholi, 14,000 metres in Viman Nagar, and approximately 8,400 metres along streetlight poles in Kharadi and adjoining areas. The removal briefly disrupted internet services provided by private operators in these localities.
Despite the action, operators allegedly redeployed manpower to quickly reconnect the cut cables and, in some places, laid new lines, undermining the civic body’s efforts.
Junior Engineer Mangesh Misal from the streetlight department said a team of 15 staff carried out the operation. “The drive against unauthorised cables will continue. No FIR has been registered so far,” he said.
PMC officials indicated that further action may be intensified to ensure compliance and prevent recurrence of illegal installations.
