Today's 3rd July 2019 was reported in some section of press with Power Minister Nilesh Cabral meeting with a delegation of cable operators to discuss their practice of tying cables to electricity poles in order to give cable connections to the consumers/subscribers of cable TV in various parts of the state.
Cable operators run their cables through high rise buildings or any housing society/colony and it really is a nuisance because most of the times the subscribers gets 'noisy' connections. Sometimes big trees but more often electricity poles are used. Already we have high tension and overhead cabling running from pole to pole. Street lighting is also on the same pole. Recently I woke up to see sparks and flames on electricity pole No…LT 01469 /1/1 which is situated close to my house. I called our Power Minister Nilesh Cabral who subsequently gave instructions to the engineers of Taleigao substation to rectify/ attend to the problem. An assistant engineer came with his fleet and set it right within one day which I appreciate. The linesman noticed that the fire could be of old wooden blocks which were permitted by earlier electrical engineers to give connections and that could be the cause of fire. However, the linesman also noticed that the cable operator had tied his cable to this pole. He cut it without giving any notice to the cable operator as this mixing up with their wiring is hazardous. These cable operators needs to be instructed over the safety aspects as their cables (which are generally are too long) become jumbled up with their units literally hanging close by. These cable operators mostly choose a vacant building or bunglow for such number of connections in the area. I have seen their cables being cut by linesman without giving any notice. The cable operator had no say but to make the connection of this cut joint which is not that easy for a common person. Why should such incidents continue to take place when this system can be put in order? The Power Minister was found a bit soft when confronted by cable operators in the meeting. As he is not electrically qualified he should have taken inputs from the Chief Electrical Officer or respective substation executive engineer and asked them to remain present during the meeting. Why was this not done? I do not understand what IT minister and non qualified electrical staff and government officials were asked to remain present at the meeting while those actually aware of the practical issues were not present. In fact the experts could have guided these cable operators about safely routing cables. I failed to understand why underground cabling (which is still in the process to be commissioned after spending such a lot of public funds) is being delayed? Once these poles are of no use, the Power Minister could sublet or give to these cable operators to use if he thinks wise. but until then safety must come first. No shortcuts should be allowed. At one time earlier Power ministers allowed cable operators to use these poles, provided a certain amount of revenue was generated to the government. This should not have been done and that is the reason cable operators are now taking advantage and tying their cables to these poles. Stephen Dias Retired NIO scientist Resident of Dona Paula 3.7 2019
