The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has slapped hefty fines totaling ₹47.2 crore on major telecom operators for widespread violations in laying optical fibre cables (OFC) across the city. Over 16 private companies were penalized for unauthorised installations, exceeding approved duct lengths, and flouting safety norms. An additional ₹4.4 crore was imposed on agencies that laid cables without any permissions.
Despite these breaches, BBMP has lifted its nearly two-year ban on new OFC permissions, citing Bengaluru’s growing digital needs and revenue pressures. A senior official explained, “We aren’t against digital infrastructure. But it must be regulated. Cables strung across trees and lamp posts have created hazards everywhere.”
Over the past decade, telecom firms have laid over 15,000 km of OFC, generating significant income for BBMP — from ₹6.8 crore in 2012–13 to ₹167 crore in 2016–17. However, revenue dipped to ₹3 crore this year due to the suspension of approvals.
The reinstated policy comes with steep charges: ₹600 per metre for up to three ducts, ₹3,000 per junction, and ₹1,500 for pole-mounted boxes. Officials said companies frequently abused permissions, often laying many times the sanctioned length or piggybacking on existing ducts without paying fees.
Although BBMP created 130 km of common ducts to reduce road damage, legal cabling was done in less than half that length. Enforcement remains difficult, as residents quickly protest internet outages when unauthorized cables are removed.