3 More Days of Internet Disruption After Cable Chop

Hyderabad: Internet and cable TV services in Hyderabad remain disrupted for a third day after the Southern Discom clipped overhead cables from power poles. Full restoration of the services may take another two to three days.

The Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) launched the campaign after electrocution incidents earlier this week claimed seven lives. Though aimed at improving the safety of the power infrastructure, the drive has caused widespread inconvenience to residents, businesses and service providers.

TGSPDCL officials stated that the removals were carried out under government orders to clear hazardous cables hanging from poles. Critics called it a knee-jerk reaction, citing years of neglect that allowed uncontrolled proliferation of cable and fibre lines. Abandoned wires created a tangled mess, complicating maintenance and raising fire and electrocution risks.

The sudden drive underscored the urgent need for coordinated and transparent solutions that balance public safety from the risk posed by dangling cables and also find an amicable way to the city’s growing digital demands.

Residents have been hard hit by the sudden outages. Sai Kumar, a software professional working from home, shared, “My work came to a standstill with the sudden internet disconnection. Deadlines were missed and meetings disrupted without prior warning, causing significant stress and productivity loss.” Local residents Sushma Reddy and Pradeep Singh from Cherlapally expressed safety fears: “The tangled cables look like a disaster waiting to happen,” said Sushma. Pradeep added, “The fire hazard and electrocution risk cannot be ignored any longer.”

A cable operator acknowledged, “Many cables were haphazardly laid over the years, affecting the network. But sudden removals without coordination cause great consumer losses. We need a long-term, regulated approach that ensures safety without abrupt service interruptions.”

Cable operators and internet service providers (ISPs) condemned TGSPDCL’s uncoordinated removal, stating it took place without prior notice or consultation. At least 30 per cent of Hyderabad consumers face outages, affecting work-from-home professionals, online businesses, student exams, and home security systems, resulting in significant operational and financial losses.

Responding to a petition, the Telangana High Court directed TGSPDCL to halt further cable removals until further orders and emphasised the need for constructive dialogue between power authorities and cable providers. Stakeholders agree that clear communication, regulatory compliance, and safeguarding critical digital infrastructure must accompany safety efforts to prevent recurrence of such crises.