Rajshahi Correspondent:

Long praised for its cleanliness and livability, the northern city of Rajshahi is facing a growing threat to its urban appeal and public safety due to the unchecked sprawl of overhead cables.

Entangled wires of electricity, internet, and satellite TV connections have become not only an eyesore but a significant hazard for residents and businesses alike.

Despite its reputation for dust-free air, shaded roads, and organised streetscapes, the increasing clutter of dangling cables across utility poles and streetlamps is compromising Rajshahi’s status as a model city.

Numerous locations, including Saheb Bazar, Zero Point, RDA Market, Moni Chattar, and Upashahar, now bear the same chaotic overhead visuals.

Local residents have raised concern not only about aesthetics but also about the growing risk of fire incidents and electrocution.

“We are proud of Rajshahi’s cleanliness, but the cable mess is a real safety concern,” said Mamunur Rashid, a resident of the Shashthitala neighborhood. “It’s time for the authorities to act decisively.”

According to sources at Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), repeated notices have been issued to internet service providers and satellite TV operators to remove the unauthorised or unused cables. Even though they were asked to connect it according to the rules, they are not complying. RCC officials report that the excess load of these cables is making poles structurally vulnerable and contributing to short circuits and fire outbreaks.

An RCC engineering official, requesting anonymity, confirmed that over the past two years, at least seven fire incidents and more than thirty minor accidents were linked to overhead cable hazards-most during the monsoon season due to water-induced short circuits.

Shop owners in commercial zones like RDA Market have echoed similar worries. “Last year, a cable fire damaged part of our market. No one has come to clear the wires since then,” said Subash Chandra, a local trader. In Saheb Bazar, residents walk with caution, fearing falling cables.

Service providers claim that without a clear regulatory framework from the city authority, initiatives to remove cables have stalled. Meanwhile, RCC engineers cautioned that sudden removal may lead to major service disruptions.

Urban planners suggest that underground utility lines are the only long-term solution. “One of the criteria of a smart city is an overhead wire-free infrastructure,” said architect and urban planning expert Shawkat Hossain. “Rajshahi must accelerate efforts to bury power lines and fiber optic cables underground. This not only improves urban aesthetics but also ensures uninterrupted services and reduces transmission losses.”

Rajshahi Divisional Commissioner and RCC Administrator Khondaker Azim Ahmed confirmed that plans are underway to establish underground utility corridors in key areas. “A multi-crore taka proposal is being drafted to implement this initiative,” he said.