DSCC to resume cable removal if ISPAB, Coab fails underground installment

Overhead cable removal will be resumed if ISPAB and Coab are not able to complete underground installments of the cables within the stipulated time, Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh said on Tuesday.

The mayor made the remarks while inspecting the underground cable placements drive by Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB) and Cable Operators Association of Bangladesh (Coab) in the areas adjacent to Dhanmondi Abahani field.

He said, "We consulted with ISPAB and Coab, and gave them the opportunity to place the overhead hanging cables underground within a stipulated time, without any compensation."

"They selected the Dhanmondi area to begin their work. Today, I've come to inspect the progress of their work. But they have not made satisfactory progress even though they've promised to free Dhaka's main roads from overhead wires by the end of December," the mayor said.

In response to a question, Taposh said, "In response to their application, we approved an extension of their initial deadline, and they committed to complete this activity in one month, by end-December. We hope they will be able to complete this work within the stipulated time. The people of Dhaka have been trapped in this mess (overhead cables) for too long. We want to free the people from this mess. If they fail to meet the deadline, we will resume the cable removal activity.

Responding to another question about the ongoing Fulbaria Super Market-2, the DSCC mayor said, "Our activities are not personally motivated, but are against all illegal occupations in Dhaka city. We will continue this activity in phases against all illegal occupations."

"We have identified illegal occupants in some more markets and will take action against them. We will rehabilitate any real and legitimate shop owners that are impacted by these evictions," he added.