Dehradun: Overhanging wires persists to be a problem in the states capital despite efforts by the municipal corporation to remove defunct wires. The civic body started a drive in August to address the issue but to no avail. Multi-utility ducts were proposed to get rid of hanging wires, marking an important issue for the Smart city project. However, work was restricted to a few areas while the problem remains everywhere, especially in residential colonies and the city centre.One can sight bunched up wires in any area with high population density, like Dalanwala, Kishan Nagar, Nehru colony etc. We had some transmission problems last year and when workers from UPCL came, it took them days to identify functional lines amidst several wires passing through the colony. It is not only operationally inconvenient but a sore sight to eyes, said Jyotika Ramesh, a Nehru colony resident.Locals also suggested shifting overhead wires to underground ducts. The project to remove these wires is an ambitious one but requires focus. The problem is visible across Rajpur road, near Rangers ground, on Canal road and anywhere you go in the city. The wires have been stacked one on top of each other over a period of several years, said Yesh veer Arya, another city resident.Senior officials Dehradun Municipal Corporation (DMC) had said that they will penalise telecom operators, broadband service providers, and cable operators who fail to follow instructions, but so far no penalties have been imposed on any operators. Meanwhile, officials claim that the exercise is in full swing. Along the Chakrata road via Ballupur and clock tower, defunct wires have been removed. Similarly, from tehsil chowk towards ISBT on Saharanpur road. UPCL is carrying out the drive and the decision was taken after multiple meetings with stakeholders, said municipal commissioner, Manuj Goyal.However, a TOI spot visit revealed that the problem continues across routes that DMC claims work has already been done.We also published the following articles recentlyGanesha idol touches live wire, kills oneA man was electrocuted and three others were critically injured while transporting a Lord Ganesha idol on a tractor in Jajpur district. The deceased was identified as Samir Rout. The injured are being treated in Jajpur DHH. This incident occurred during the preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi. In other news, students in Vadodara have displayed eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesha as part of an initiative to raise awareness about eco-friendly celebrations. Lucknow residents are also opting for eco-friendly idols that sprout into plants when immersed in soil or water.Two nabbed for wire theft from warehouseTwo individuals were arrested by the Ahmedabad city crime branch for allegedly stealing 35kg of aluminium and copper wire from an L&T warehouse in Changodar. The suspects confessed to gaining entry to the warehouse by jumping over the boundary wall and hiding the stolen wire under garbage in the Behrampura area. Both individuals had previous records of offences related to theft and burglary.RPF nabs 3 copper wire thievesThree people have been arrested by the Railway Protection Force (RPF) in Mysuru for stealing copper wires. The gang was involved in stealing overhead electrification (OHE) copper wires in Sagar of Shivamogga district. The RPF has recovered property worth Rs 2 lakh, including 200kg copper wire. The accused were produced before a local court and remanded in judicial custody.

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