Telangana HC issues notices to GHMC, TGSPDCL on 'Internet cable removal'

Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) and the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) on a writ petition filed by Bharti Airtel, challenging the removal of its optical fibre cables fixed to electricity poles across the city.

The petition follows the recent Ramanthapur tragedy, in which five persons died after coming into contact with a live cable during a Sri Krishnashtami procession. In the



aftermath, Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka directed officials to remove all cables from electricity poles on a war footing.

Airtel’s counsel argued that the company had lawfully installed its cables, paying the requisite charges for using the poles, but officials were cutting and removing them without notice, causing widespread disruption of internet services. The petitioner further contended that the GHMC’s action violated the Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024, and the Telecommunications Act, 2023.