Ranchi: Internet and mobile services were disrupted in large parts of Ranchi on Wednesday after the Ranchi supply circle of Jharkhand Bijli Vitaran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) deployed 50 teams to dismantle illegal and unsafe optical fibre cables (OFCs) dangling from electricity poles.The action follows an ultimatum issued to telecom operators last week, asking them to align all pole-strung cables with safety norms by Aug 16.Unregulated cables criss-cross key localities, including Doranda, Hinoo, Argora, Morhabadi, and Lalpur, posing risks to electrical networks, traffic and pedestrians. Installers often violate safety norms by hanging heavy accessories and multi-strand wires below permissible height limits, placing heavy structural strain on power utility poles.JBVNL (Ranchi) general manager Manmohan Kumar said, “The disconnection work started on Monday but was slowed down due to heavy downpour. We are working on a war footing with the aim to remove all illegal and unsafe wires within one week.”Engineers involved in the operation have been directed to maintain strict records, including the vendor’s name, cable thickness, number of poles used, length of cable removed, location, timestamp, and specific grounds for removal. Field teams must also take photographs before and after dismantling while minimising damage to seized cables.Warning of legal action if disconnected lines are reconnected illegally, he said, “Repeated notices to telecom providers over recent months failed to ensure compliance, leaving the utility with little choice. Operators must follow formal application and approval procedures.”The crackdown led to widespread outages, leaving thousands of residents struggling. Mohit Shrivastava, who works remotely, said his internet remained down all day with no immediate resolution from his service provider.Another resident, Anand Singh, reported frequent call drops and problems making basic online payments during the blackout.“We understand that citizens will face problems with this step, but we were left with no option but to disconnect the unsafe lines,” Kumar said.A telecom company official, requesting anonymity, said they are working with the JBVNL to resolve the issue and restore lines.
