Private telecom firms install excess poles in Kochi: Auditors

Kochi: Auditors found that private telecom companies in the city installed twice as many poles as they were authorized. This led to losses running to crores, and the audit report for 2023–24 urges Kochi corporation to take steps to recover these losses.

In April 2021, corporation instructed the telecom firms that no more poles than those permitted should be erected. However, inspections by corporation overseers revealed that nearly double the number of poles were installed in several corporation zones.

Audit department demanded that, in addition to rent, charges for restoring roads to their original condition, security deposits and other fees should be collected for the illegally installed poles. On average, corporation should be paid Rs 3,800 for restoring the road each time a pole is erected.

In the Fort Kochi area, a private telecom company sought permission to install 1,103 poles but installed 2,293. In Vyttila area, permission was given for 2,616 poles, but 3,764 poles were installed.

In Central and Pachalam areas, permission was given for 2,861 poles. The inspection found 2,894 poles installed.

In Edappally area, permission was given for 1,958 poles and rent is being paid for 1,863 poles. Since corporation has not conducted a site inspection here, the exact number of poles installed is unclear. Audit department has called for a joint inspection to clarify this matter.