TelecomTheft – Underground MTNL Cables Stolen in South Mumbai Area
TelecomTheft – The theft of underground telecom cables worth over ₹1 lakh has been reported in South Mumbai, raising fresh concerns about the safety of critical communication infrastructure.
A case has been registered at the Malabar Hill Police Station following the theft of telecom cables belonging to Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL). Officials confirmed that the stolen cables were part of the city’s underground network and their removal led to disruptions in telephone services across certain localities. The incident has once again highlighted vulnerabilities in essential public infrastructure.
Complaint Filed by MTNL Official
The complaint was lodged by Shashank Ravindra Chaturvedi, a 39-year-old Deputy Manager with MTNL. He resides at the MTNL Telephone Building in Kemps Corner along with his family and has been associated with telecom operations in the region for several years. His responsibilities include supervising service maintenance, addressing customer complaints, and ensuring uninterrupted telecom connectivity in areas such as Malabar Hill and Cumballa Hill.
Chaturvedi reported that the issue first came to his notice after multiple users complained about disruptions in their telephone connections. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, he initiated immediate steps to identify the root cause.
Inspection Reveals Damaged Infrastructure
On March 30, around 5:30 pm, Chaturvedi assigned a team comprising Abhijit Labde, Sameer Bhatare, and Shailesh Misal to inspect the affected area. Such inspections are part of standard procedures followed when network issues are reported.
During their visit, the team observed that excavation work was being carried out by civic authorities near the Uphar Co-operative Housing Society on Siri Road in the Chowpatty-Bandstand area. The digging activity had exposed underground cables, which upon closer examination appeared to have been cut.
Labde informed Chaturvedi about the situation, prompting him to visit the site personally. After reaching the location, he confirmed that several telecom PCUT cables were missing, indicating that the exposed infrastructure had been deliberately targeted.
Theft Likely Occurred Over Three Days
Subsequent inquiries and examination of CCTV footage from nearby locations helped narrow down the time frame of the incident. Investigators believe the theft occurred between the evening of March 27 and the evening of March 30.
The footage reportedly shows unidentified individuals arriving at the site using a tempo and a motorcycle. Authorities suspect that these vehicles were used to transport the heavy cables after they were removed.
Details of Stolen Property
According to the complaint, the stolen materials included five black PCUT cables, each measuring approximately 30 to 35 meters in length. These cables had a diameter of around three inches and weighed between 80 to 90 kilograms each, with an estimated total value of ₹90,000.
In addition, a black jelly cable of similar length was also taken. This cable weighed roughly 75 to 80 kilograms and was valued at ₹16,000. The total estimated loss from the theft stands at ₹1.06 lakh.
Investigation Underway
Police have registered a case against two unidentified individuals and have launched an investigation to trace those involved. Officials are reviewing additional CCTV footage and gathering evidence from the surrounding area to identify the suspects.
The incident has raised broader concerns about the protection of underground infrastructure, particularly during construction or excavation activities. Authorities are expected to examine whether proper safety measures were in place at the site to prevent such incidents.
As the investigation continues, telecom officials are working to restore affected services and ensure that similar disruptions do not occur in the future.