Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has started exploring additional revenue sources. The Road Department is checking feasibility of imposing surcharge on mobile companies laying  underground cables in the city.

Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is charging a surcharge for digging in its jurisdiction. On similar lines, the PMC is checking options to levy surcharge on digging.

Speaking to Sakal Times, Rajendra Raut, Chief Superintendent of Road Department of PMC said, “The PMC is charging restoration charges for digging roads for laying underground cables. The amount is Rs 5,500 per running metre. But it was framed in 2014.

“Now, time has come to revise rates. We haven’t decided on the rate but are collecting information from the PCMC. After that, we will take the PMC Legal Department’s opinion before implementing it.”  

He said, “It is purely for revenue generation. The PCMC is charging more than Rs 7,000 as restoration charges per running metre and above that surcharge. Compared to PCMC, our restoration charges are less.”

The PMC gives permission for road digging to companies like MSEDCL, BSNL, Tata Communication, Tata Telecom, Idea Cellular, Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited, Giga Solution Private Limited, Reliance, U Broadband and Cables India Private Limited, Hughes Telecom Limited, Dinesh Engineering Private Limited, Bharati Airtel Private Limited and Vodafone.

Normally, the PMC gives permission to all cable companies to lay down underground cables every year before the monsoon and after the monsoon. As per the order, companies should stop laying cables from May 31 to September 1 every year.