Ranchi: Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) has invited applications from telecom companies and optical fibre cable (OFC) operators seeking no-objection certificates (NOCs) to lay cables on electric poles and regularise existing lines in the city.The initiative covers nearly 580 poles along the route from Kanke Road via Ram Mandir Chowk, Kishoreganj Chowk, Sahajanand Chowk and Harmu Chowk to Argora Chowk.Manmohan Kumar, general manager of the Ranchi supply area, said operators must submit applications along with all required technical documents by Oct 31. The directive applies to both existing cable networks and proposed installations.To prevent overcrowding and protect the structural integrity of poles, JBVNL has capped the number of cables at eight per pole. “If the number of applicants exceeds eight, preference may be given to the provider offering the highest rental charge, subject to technical feasibility,” Kumar said.Applications must include details such as technical specifications, the exact number of cables per pole, cable dimensions, weight per unit length and the hardware required. Operators will have to cover the entire route; applications for only selected poles will be rejected.The safety norms include compliance with regulations, a minimum ground clearance of 12 ft, orderly wiring and clear tagging of cables at regular intervals. Operators will have to bear the installation costs, including clamps, brackets and other hardware. Annual rentals and security deposits will be charged as per JBVNL norms.Warning operators against violations, Kumar said, “If the laid-out OFC does not meet the prescribed safety norms, operators will be directed to rectify or remove it. Cables belonging to operators who fail to submit their applications within seven working days will also be dismantled.”The move comes after JBVNL removed unauthorised cables following a Jharkhand high court suo motu hearing in Aug on dangling wires in Ranchi.
