Deputy CM Bhatti orders removal of illegal cables from electric poles after Ramanthapur mishap

Hyderabad: Remove all unauthorised cable wires from electric poles, ordered deputy chief minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on a war footing.

These orders were issued after the Ramanthapur incident and also the latest incident in Bandlaguda while transporting the Ganesh idols.

The meeting was held in the Secretariat in the immediate aftermath of the tragic electrocution incident in Ramanthapur, where six people lost their lives during a Janmashtami procession on August 17. The chariot came into contact with an illegally placed cable wire that had fallen on an overhead power line.

March 15 drive to remove cable and internet wires

A major clearance drive to remove cable and internet wires from electric poles was carried out on March 15 by the government department. There are many old cable wires that are still hanging around the poles.

What is most disturbing is that the cable and internet wires of Airtel, Jio and other companies are also attached to the old wires, which are creating major problems for consumers.

During the earlier clearance drive, many internet service providers complained that the electricity department officials removed or damaged the internet providers' wires in the residential colonies and localities.

2024 removal drive

In 2024, the power department had a meeting with cable and internet service providers, asking them to remove the wires which are being taken from electric poles. But there was no response.

Old cable wires

Old cable wires are dangling across maximum electric poles, and they are low-hanging wires.

Due to strong winds, live wires are snapping or interwining with the cable wires, leading to these fatal accidents, explained an electricity department official in the Old City.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu noted that several notices had been issued to cable operators over the past year, but they had failed to comply.

He made it clear that there would be no more leniency, directing officials to immediately begin a state-wide ‘war footing’ campaign to remove all unauthorised cable wires from electricity poles.

Illegal connections

Deputy chief minister Bhatti said that strict action will be taken against anyone setting up unauthorised electricity connections. He emphasised that all connections must be handled by trained Electricity Department staff to ensure public safety.

TGHRC probes Ramanthapur Electrocution tragedy

Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) takes suo-motu cognizance of the tragic electrocution during Krishna Janmashtami Shobha Yatra in Ramanthapur, Hyderabad.

TGHRC directs TGSPDCL CMD Musharraf Faruqui to submit a report by Sept 22, 2025 on causes, accountability, compensation, rehabilitation & long-term safety measures.