Pune, 8th April 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation carried out a three-day drive to remove illegal overhead broadband cables in the Wadgaon Sheri–Nagar Road area, cutting nearly 24 km of unauthorized wiring.
However, the action proved largely ineffective as service providers quickly reinstalled the cables soon after they were removed.
The civic body’s electrical department launched the operation following orders from the standing committee chairman, amid revelations that Pune has nearly 3,600 km of unauthorized cable networks spread across the city. A special team was formed to carry out the crackdown across multiple areas.
Between April 1 and April 3, officials removed around 1,600 meters of illegal cables in Wagholi, 14,000 meters in Viman Nagar, and 8,400 meters along the Kharadi–Nagar Road stretch. These cables were primarily laid on streetlight poles without permission.
The action temporarily disrupted private internet services in some localities. However, operators quickly deployed manpower to reconnect the cables and, in some cases, even installed new lines, undermining the civic effort.
Junior Engineer Mangesh Misal from the streetlight department said that a 15-member team carried out the operation and that action against unauthorized cables will continue. No criminal cases have been registered so far.
Local resident Rahul Chavan criticized the limited impact of the drive, stating that operators evade municipal taxes and continue to earn significant profits without fear.
He pointed out that hanging cables pose safety risks and accidents, adding that only strict criminal action would bring the situation under control.
