Overhead Internet Cables Pose Serious Safety Risk in Pune: MLA Siddharth Shirole Demands Strict Enforcement of Duct Policy

The unchecked proliferation of overhead internet and cable wires in Pune has become a severe public safety hazard, prompting urgent calls for stricter enforcement of the underground duct policy. Siddharth Shirole, MLA from Maharashtra, raised the issue in the state assembly today, highlighting multiple incidents where dangling cables have endangered lives and disrupted the city’s aesthetics.

Rising Danger: Overhead Cables Cause Accidents

A recent incident near Nanded City underscored the grave risks posed by these loosely-hung wires. A snapped overhead cable slashed a motorist’s neck, leading to a severe accident. Shirole emphasized that such cases are becoming alarmingly frequent, exposing citizens to unnecessary hazards.

Aesthetic and Structural Damage to Pune’s Cityscape

Beyond safety concerns, the MLA pointed out that the tangled mess of unregulated cables has severely damaged Pune’s urban landscape. The chaotic web of wires clutters the skyline, making public spaces appear disorderly and unmaintained. This not only affects the city’s visual appeal but also reflects poorly on urban governance.

Duct Policy Remains Unimplemented Despite Approval

In 2018, the Maharashtra government approved an underground duct policy to address this issue. However, implementation has been sluggish, primarily due to resistance from private telecom companies. These firms avoid laying underground cables because of the steep ₹12,000 per running meter fee imposed by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Instead, they opt for cheaper, more dangerous overhead installations.

MLA Siddharth Shirole’s Key Demands

Overhead Internet & electrical Cables Pose Serious Threat to Citizens – Urgent Need to Enforce Duct Policy

Today in the Maharashtra Assembly, I raised a pressing concern about the growing menace of overhead internet and cable wires across Pune city.

A recent incident near… pic.twitter.com/OhTTU5mcrg

— Siddharth Shirole (@SidShirole) July 3, 2025

Shirole urged the state government to take immediate action, including:

1. Rationalizing ducting charges to encourage compliance.
2. Prioritizing enforcement of the underground duct policy across Maharashtra.
3. Integrating utility systems—internet, CCTV, electric, and communication lines—into a single underground network for efficiency and safety.

“If we want to build safe, modern, and visually clean cities, the duct policy must be strictly implemented,” Shirole asserted.

The Way Forward

The unchecked growth of overhead cables is a ticking time bomb, risking lives and degrading urban infrastructure. With proper policy enforcement and revised pricing, Pune—and other Maharashtra cities—can transition to safer, more organized underground cabling systems. The government must act swiftly before more accidents occur.