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For years, Shillong’s skyline has been getting buried under a messy web of black cables, with loose wires hanging dangerously low across roads, obstructing buses and trucks and, in some places, dangling close to pedestrians’ heads. What should have been a routine part of the city’s utility infrastructure has turned into an eyesore, raising concerns over public safety and the unplanned growth of overhead electricity, telecom, broadband and cable TV networks. Now, as the East Khasi Hills district administration continues clearing tangled and non-functional overhead wires across the city as part of an urban beautification drive, Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal inspected the ongoing work in Laitumukhrah. So far, according to the DC, around 200 kg of wires and boxes have already been removed, with the administration aiming to complete the exercise to make Shillong’s roads safer, its public spaces cleaner and its cityscape less cluttered.
Launched in August following directions from Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, the drive is being carried out by the East Khasi Hills district administration and the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), in coordination with MeECL, telecom operators and internet service providers. The operation has covered Police Bazaar, Secretariat Hills, MBOSE Junction, Lok Bhawan, Barik, Malki and Dhankheti, and has now moved to Laitumukhrah. Baranwal said, “The entire purpose of this exercise was to see what else can be done to improve the Aesthetics of how these Telecom wires are currently being spread out over the city.” He said unused wires, loops and boxes were being removed, while cables crossing between poles were being secured wherever possible. “Like, for example, the minimum height rule has been enforced,” he said, adding that operators were also being asked to label their cables, loops and boxes. He warned that infrastructure belonging to operators who failed to comply with the rules would be removed.
Sonnet Jose, an IAS officer involved in the exercise, said the operation had gradually expanded from the city’s commercial centre to other neighbourhoods and was currently covering the Laitumukhrah beat house area.
“Generally the wires are in a low height and that is creating issues especially when higher trucks are passing, there are wires which are not in use and instead of removing them they are drawing the new lines,” She said adding that the team hoped to complete the process within a month.
The administration has urged telecom operators, cable companies and other service providers to maintain their infrastructure, remove redundant wiring and comply with the prescribed height and labelling requirements. Officials said the exercise would continue across identified locations to improve public safety and reduce the visual clutter caused by unorganised overhead cables.
