Bengaluru likely to experience internet outages; Everything you need to know
Might impact tech companies, WFH employees
Bengaluru: Bengaluru, often hailed as India's tech capital, faces the looming possibility of an internet blackout that could significantly impact both work-from-home employees and the operations of tech firms in the region.
The reason behind this potential disruption is the decision taken by the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) to remove all unauthorised optical fibre cables (OFCs), data cables, and dish cables that have been laid on electrical poles across the city.
This move comes in the wake of two incidents where pedestrians were injured due to electric poles collapsing under the weight of dangling OFCs. The first incident occurred on August 22 in Sadduguntepalya near Koramangala, resulting in serious injuries to a 21-year-old college student who suffered significant burns. The second incident happened on August 19 in Devarabisanahalli near Bellandur, where a 23-year-old pedestrian was injured by a falling pole.
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In response, Bescom has announced its decision to remove all unauthorised cables within a week's time. The company emphasized that if OFC and dish cable operators fail to comply within this timeframe, Bescom will take the matter into its own hands and proceed with removal, while also filing cases against the concerned operators.
While the move is aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing such accidents in the future, it has raised concerns about potential internet disruptions in the tech hub. Residents in various areas, including Sarjapur Road, Carmelaram, and HSR Layout, have reported internet outages in recent days due to the removal of unauthorised cables.
This situation echoes past instances in 2019 when similar removals by the Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) led to internet outages in areas like Outer Ring Road, Sarjapur Road, Whitefield, Marathahalli, Bellandur, and Sarjapur. Such actions without prior intimation to telecom and internet service providers prompted the Cellular Operators’ Association of India (COAI) to raise concerns about potential outages and user inconvenience.
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MP: 12 labourers killed, 20 injured as pick-up van overturns and crashes into SUV
Dhar (MP) (PTI): Twelve labourers were killed and 20 others injured when the pick-up van carrying them overturned and collided with an SUV in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday night, an official said.
The incident occurred at 8:30-9 PM. According to preliminary information, 35 labourers were returning home in a pickup van from Baggad in Dhar district when the driver lost control of the vehicle near Chikliya crossing. The vehicle overturned and collided with an SUV coming from the opposite direction.
"Twelve people died on the spot, while approximately 20 others were injured," said Dhar district's in-charge collector, Abhishek Choudhary.
The seriously injured persons were referred to Indore after initial treatment, he said.
Choudhary, DIG Mayank Awasthi, and police personnel rushed to the spot.
Tirla police have registered a case and are investigating the accident.
