Hyderabad: Bharti Airtel has filed a motion petition in the Telangana High Court, challenging the state government’s emergency order to remove hazardous overhead cables from electricity poles. The directive followed two electrocution incidents in Hyderabad that killed nine people, including five during a Shri Krishna Shobhayatra in Ramanthapur.
Airtel Challenges Cable Removal
Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka heard the petition on Thursday. Senior advocate S. Ravi, representing Airtel, argued that the company had secured all necessary permissions and paid ₹21 crore for cable installations. He said the government acted illegally by cutting the cables without prior notice.
Ravi added that several residential connections also draw from the same poles, making it unfair to blame Airtel alone. He noted that the sudden disruption of internet services was causing problems for doctors, lawyers, IT professionals, and students across the city.
Government Defends Emergency Directive
Counsel for the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TSSPDCL) and the government countered the plea. They said telecom companies’ excessive and unregulated use of poles created recurring safety threats. They also recalled earlier cases where firms filed similar petitions during crackdowns but later withdrew them.
Court Seeks Written Arguments
After hearing both sides, the judge refused interim relief. The court asked Airtel to file written arguments and adjourned the case to Friday. Meanwhile, the court instructed TSSPDCL not to remove any more cables until further orders.
Broader Debate Over Cable Safety
The controversy has intensified after recent fatalities. It has now sparked a larger debate over accountability, permissions, and regulation of urban infrastructure. With the judiciary, government, telecom firms, and civil society all involved, the case could take a decisive turn in the coming days.
