The committee was constituted to look into unauthorised OFCs in September and was told to submit a report within two months.

A detailed 4,732-page report will be submitted to the Mayor at the BBMP Council  meeting on Friday. It has recommended penalty, double the fee, against service providers for digging roads and also for not taking permission from the BBMP to do so.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, committee member and Yediyur councillor, N R Ramesh, said 17 telecommunication service providers have laid 65,000 km of OFC ducts, without permission, in the city. “As per their (service providers) declaration before the court in 2012, they have laid OFC ducts in 6,140 km. In the past one year, they have taken permission from the BBMP to lay cables in an additional 1,327 km,” he said.

Ramesh said they had earlier directed the service providers to declare the number of ducts laid in the city.

“They were supposed to declare it by Thursday. But they have taken another four days time from the Commissioner. Once they declare the details, we shall verify them. Unauthorised OFCs will be either disconnected or these cables will be auctioned. We have the power to do so as they are illegally laid in our property. With this, there could be chances of disruption in Internet service. Public should cooperate,” he urged.

Ramesh said permission from the concerned ward engineer and BWSSB engineer is a must to lay OFCs. Also, the service providers should have maintained a gap of one metre between the OFC and sewage pipes.

“They have not followed these rules and laid OFC ducts in 1,700 km inside sewage pipes unauthorisedly. This has blocked water flow. That is the reason why water enters roads during monsoon. The BWSSB officials have registered a case against these  service providers,” he said.

Committee Seeks CBI Probe

The committee has demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged unauthorised cable laying ‘mafia’ which has damaged the BBMP’s roads, drains and footpaths.

Ramesh said action should be initiated against officials who allowed service providers to dig roads illegally.