Internet Disruption Amid Cable Removal in Telangana – August 2025
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025 In mid-August 2025, Telangana witnessed an abrupt and large-scale disruption of internet, cable TV, and digital services – a direct consequence of emergency actions by the state power utility.
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025
- Trigger: Electrocution Incidents Spark Safety Measures
On August 18, a tragic electrocution occurred during a Sri Krishna Janmashtami procession in Ramanthapur, where a chariot contacted a high-tension wire, resulting in six fatalities The very next day, two more deaths happened in Bandlaguda under similar circumstances
In response, the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) launched a citywide drive on August 19–20 to remove dangling and low-hanging cables from electric poles — including not just power lines but also optical fiber and cable TV wires
- Massive Service Outages Follow
- The sudden removal caused service outages across multiple localities, especially in Kompally, Shaikpet, Tellapur, Ameerpet, Balanagar, Banjara Hills, Kokapet, and areas under GHMC
- Roughly 1 million optical fiber cables were cut, impacting nearly 30% of Hyderabad’s consumers, according to telco associations
- Authorities estimated over 100,000 connections were disrupted
- Impact on Residents and Businesses
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025
- Work-from-home professionals were hit hard. Many reported stalled workflows, missed deadlines, and frustration over no prior warnings
- Students struggled to attend online classes or submit assignments as broadband and video platforms went offline
- Digital payments failed in many shops and restaurants: UPI and POS systems couldn’t complete transactions, forcing cash-only settlements
- CCTV and home security systems went dark, raising safety concerns
Public anger flared across social media. One user quipped, “I lost my job today because of an internet disconnection… #Savethesystem.” Another lamented that “daily life in chaos” ensued when the city’s work-from-home infrastructure hit a wall BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao called the move “a clueless, knee-jerk action,” stating, “Elect a clown, expect a circus”
- Industry Response
- The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) warned that optical fiber cables carry no electricity, and their removal was unrelated to safety. They urged TGSPDCL to stop severing such infrastructure to prevent mass service breakdowns
- The Telangana Internet Service Providers Association (TISPA) protested at TGSPDCL headquarters, demanding an immediate halt to cable-cutting operations
- Legal and Governmental Course Correction
- Bharti Airtel filed a writ petition in the Telangana High Court, arguing it had lawful permission to lay optical fiber cables (under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and Right of Way Rules, 2024) and had paid substantial fees. They accused TGSPDCL of violating Rule 18 by removing cables without notice, disrupting services to critical institutions like hospitals and courts
- On August 21, Justice Nagesh Bheemapaka ordered TGSPDCL to immediately stop cutting Airtel’s optical fibers and issued notices to TGSPDCL and GHMC He emphasized that telecom is an essential service and such arbitrary disruption is untenable
- Interim relief was granted, halting further cable removal until the next hearing scheduled for August 22–23
- Long-Term Plans to Solve Infrastructure Risks
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025 Ahead of these incidents, the Telangana government had already announced an urban strategy to bolster safety and infrastructure:
- A ₹13,500 crore initiative was launched to replace 25,000 km of overhead power lines with underground (UG) cables across Hyderabad’s core urban region, using horizontal drilling to minimize disruption. This project spans 4–5 years
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025 While in its early stages, this plan once implemented could prevent future electrocution risks and the need for emergency cable-snipping drives.
Summary
Massive Telangana internet disruption 2025 The August 2025 cable removal in Telangana, triggered by tragic electrocution incidents, led to sudden and widespread internet and digital disruption. Citizens, businesses, and essential services were thrown into turmoil due to a lack of coordination and warning. Industry bodies and the High Court intervened, halting further damage and demanding accountability. Meanwhile, longer-term infrastructure overhaul plans aim to make such crises obsolete.