Cable theft hits BSNL broadband service

Tribune News Service

Mohali, December 14

Miscreants stole underground BSNL cables worth Rs 15 lakh from a manhole near the Phase 3/5 light point on the night intervening December 12 and December 13. The theft disrupted broadband service of over 2,000 connections in the adjoining areas.

Thieves allegedly stole four 300-metre-long cables from the manhole, which is close to foot over bridge in the Phase 3B1 market and barely 100 metres from the DSP’s office.

This is the second theft of cables in a week’s time. Late on December 8 night, thieves had stolen four 10-metre-long wires from the same area.

An eyewitness said the thieves make way with the wires in the garb of conducting repair work for the BSNL. “At 12.30 am, I saw 10-11 men frantically cutting wires near the market entrance. I did not find it unusual since BSNL staff routinely conducts repair work at night,” he said.

The incident came to light after complaints of disruption in Internet connectivity started pouring in at the BSNL office from residents of Phase 3A, Phase 3B and Phase 7, and a team was sent to locate the fault. Officials checked the readings of the lines in the area and found the cables missing on removing the lid of a manhole.

A BSNL official said, “The theft was executed by digging and then pulling out the cables, using either a crane or hydraulic tractor-trolley. Cables of such length are heavy and cannot be pulled out manually,” adding that the theft seemed to be a work of a team of 10-15 persons. 

Another official said, “It would take 15-20 days to lay new wires and restore connections.” The official alleged involvement of private telecom operators in the theft to garner market share.  Police officials said they had received a complaint in this connection, which would be investigated.