Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Tangled Hyderabad Cables Raise Safety Fears Before Ganesh Immersion
Hyderabad has many internet and television wires hanging above streets.
Some wires are tangled around electricity poles or hang very low.
This is especially worrying before trucks carry large Ganesha idols through the city.
More than a year ago, a dangling cable touched a live power line during a procession.
Five people died and six were hurt in that incident.
Officials later removed many cables, but providers said some approved cables were taken too.
Old wires are often left behind when customers change services.
Residents and workers want the wires organized or moved underground so people can stay safer.
Tangled, low-hanging cables remain in several Hyderabad neighborhoods ahead of Ganesh immersion festivities.
The Ramanthapur cable electrocution tragedy killed five people and injured six during a procession.
Power officials began removing cables from electricity poles, prompting disputes with internet and cable providers.
Workers say unused wires obstruct repairs, create fall risks and continue accumulating around poles.
Residents and officials want coordinated cable removal, organized installations, underground networks or separate poles.
- Who
- Residents, power officials, linemen, internet and cable providers, and people transporting Ganesha idols are involved.
- What
- Tangled and low-hanging overhead cables continue to create safety and maintenance concerns in Hyderabad.
- When
- The issue remains more than a year after the Ramanthapur tragedy and ahead of Ganesh immersion festivities.
- Where
- Reported problem areas include West Marredpally, Padmaraonagar, Musheerabad and Punjagutta in Hyderabad.
- Why
- Old cables are left behind, new connections add more wires, and cables obstruct electricity repairs and the movement of tall idol-carrying trucks.
Power Officials and Residents
Internet and Cable Providers
Cable removal
Power Officials and Residents
Power officials removed cables from electricity poles to address safety and maintenance risks, while residents said the effort had not produced a permanent solution.
Internet and Cable Providers
Internet and cable providers alleged that the removal drive also took down cables installed with valid permissions, leading to a court dispute.
Reason for cable accumulation
Power Officials and Residents
Power staff and residents pointed to abandoned wires and tangled infrastructure as ongoing hazards that obstruct repairs and create risks for workers and processions.
Internet and Cable Providers
A service-provider engineer said old cables remain when customers change services, while extra loops are left around poles for future repairs or reconnections.
- Earlier tragedy
- Five people were killed and six injured during a Sri Krishna Shobha Yatra at Ramanthapur.
- Main hazard
- A dangling television cable contacted a live power line and the procession vehicle.
- Affected areas
- West Marredpally, Padmaraonagar, Musheerabad and Punjagutta.
- Removal effort
- Power officials began removing cables attached to electricity poles across GHMC limits.
- Provider concern
- Internet and cable companies said cables installed with valid permissions were also removed.
- Proposed solutions
- Suggestions include underground telecom networks or separate poles for service providers.