Rourkela's dangling cables belie Smart City claims

Despite the passage of over two years since a high-level meeting resolved to make Rourkela an overhead cable-free City, the resolution finds little implementation on the ground.

- POST NEWS NETWORK

In several parts of the City—including Daily Market, Koel Nagar, Chhend, Panposh, Basanti Colony and Uditnagar Civil Township—thick clusters of dangling cables continue to hang precariously from electric poles. These cables, resembling tangled cobwebs, not only mar the aesthetics of the Smart City, but also pose significant safety risks to commuiers and pedestrians.

Ahead of the Hockey world cup in January 2023, the Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) administration convened a meeting to address the city’s cable management issues. Representatives from all cable operator firms participated and collectively agreed to eliminate overhead cabling.