Gangtok, August 25: Under Mission Clean Sky, an initiative of the District Administrative Centre, DAC, Gangtok, a team led by Mr Abhijeet Patil IAS, SDM Gangtok, carried out a review inspection today, to oversee the progress in removing overhanging cables in and around Gangtok.
The inspection was attended by the Joint Director, DDMA, Training Officer, DDMA, Assistant Engineer, Power Department, Assistant Engineer, Gangtok Smart City, UDHD, Sr Bazar officer, GMC, JTO BSNL, ASI Police Department representatives from various Internet Service Providers.
The inspection was primarily aimed at reviewing the previously surveyed route, which started from the Titanic and covered Old Children’s Park, Tibet Road, M.G Marg, Tharo Line, and Goshkhan Road.
During the visit, the SDM inquired about the status of connectivity restoration and stressed the importance of reorganising the existing wiring system. He also reiterated the deadline of five days for the complete restoration of disconnected connections and the proper reorganisation of wires. Additionally, the team reviewed the ongoing progress of work to remove hanging cables that pose potential hazards.
The team unanimously agreed and the following Key directives were issued.
- Direction was given to all the ISPs to properly arrange all the loose and low-hanging wires. All the extra cable coils in the poles are to be removed by the Service Providers. No any extra cable coils are to be bunched in the poles. If there is any requirement for extra cable coils, the coils are to be bunched in the end location (i.e) the customer’s house or are to be secured in appropriate boxes in the poles.
- All the unused poles belonging to BSNL are to be removed.
- Strict observance of non-crossing of wires is to be maintained by the Service Providers.
Cable crossings are allowed only at the following locations:
a. Above District Control Room, M.G Marg
b. Beside Drishti traders’ old children’s park shopping complex
c. Near Drishti farms pole junction, Tibet Road
d. Near Atrium Hotel, Tibet Road
- Wires are to be removed at the following locations:
a. Golden Heights to Golden Pagoda – wire to be removed by GMC
b. Hathway’s line above red panda statute- to be removed by Hathway
c. Jio line crossing above Taste of Tibet – JIO has requested a week for shifting for which the team has agreed
d. Near Suraksha mobile centre – to be removed by GMC
e. Above Hotlix – to be removed by GMC
f. Nearby Hotel Tashi Delek – to be removed GMC
- Wires belonging to local service providers will be disconnected due to non-compliance, despite repeated notices and media coverage.
SDM Gangtok, furthermore, stressed strict adherence to the instructions and directed all concerned service providers to ensure proper compliance within the given timeline.
The inspection highlighted the urgency of systematic cable management to maintain safety, orderliness, and uninterrupted connectivity in the area. It was also informed by SDM that the inspection will be a routine affair until the entire M.G Marg becomes wire-free and requested cooperation and support from all concerned to make the mission successful.
Press Release from the District Administrative Centre, Gangtok
