Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation has launched a drive to remove unused and improperly laid overhead cables, including telephone and internet wires, across the city, beginning with Palayam.Mayor V V Rajesh inaugurated the drive at a function held in front of the Martyrs’ Column at Palayam. Following the inauguration, the mayor cut overhead cables in front of the Kannimara Market as part of the initiative.The civic body has decided to extend the drive to all 101 wards in the city. Five wards — Palayam, where the corporation’s main office is located, Fort, Kannammoola, Thycaud and Perunthanni — have been selected for the first phase.The initiative aims to clear unused, untagged and haphazardly installed cables that pose safety risks to pedestrians and motorists. The corporation had earlier adopted a council resolution calling for the removal of such cables, which have been linked to accidents and, in some cases, loss of life.The corporation had also decided to remove cables directly if service providers failed to clear them, and recover the expenses from the agencies concerned.A plan for implementing the drive was drawn up at a meeting chaired by town planning standing committee chairperson Pattoor Radhakrishnan, attended by councillors, officials from various departments, service providers and franchise operators.Divine Network has been awarded the contract for the work. The first phase involves cutting down all untagged cables, while the remaining cables will be bundled together and secured using machines to ensure they are properly arranged.Health standing committee chairperson M R Gopan presided over the inauguration meeting, while Radhakrishnan welcomed the gathering. Councillors Venugopal, Cleetus, Harikumar S, Shruthi, Deepa and Sherly, along with superintending engineer Sajeesh and assistant executive engineer Suma, attended the function.The corporation expects the initiative to improve road safety and bring greater order to the city’s overhead cable network.
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