BSNL Cable Thefts Cause Major Phone Service Disruption in Ahmedabad
Telephone services across multiple neighborhoods in Ahmedabad have been severely disrupted due to repeated thefts of underground communication cables along Ashram Road. The incidents, occurring over several weeks, have affected residents and businesses in Navrangpura, Ellisbridge, and Gulbai Tekra, prompting Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) officials to file formal complaints with local police authorities.
Initial Discovery and Service Disruption
A junior telecom officer stationed at the local telephone exchange filed a complaint with Navrangpura police on February 9, 2026, detailing the ongoing cable thefts. According to the First Information Report (FIR), customers first began reporting dead telephone lines on December 21, 2025. Following these complaints, BSNL field staff conducted inspections that revealed disturbing findings near the old Reserve Bank gate on Ashram Road.
Investigators discovered that underground cable duct covers had been forcibly opened and pits had been excavated. Technical checks confirmed that two critical copper cables—one 1,600-pair cable and one 400-pair cable, each approximately 50 meters in length—had been stolen between the old RBI gate and a nearby showroom. This initial theft caused widespread communication disruptions and resulted in an estimated financial loss of Rs 2 lakh for BSNL. Emergency temporary repairs were implemented to restore basic telephone services to affected customers.
Escalation of Cable Theft Incidents
The telecommunications crisis deepened on December 31, 2025, when BSNL maintenance staff discovered another freshly dug trench near a school gate along Ashram Road. A comprehensive inspection revealed that multiple additional copper cables had been stolen during this second incident. The stolen cables included:
- A 1,600-pair copper cable
- An 800-pair copper cable
- A 400-pair copper cable
These cables varied in length and represented a significantly larger theft than the initial incident, with BSNL estimating the financial loss at approximately Rs 7 lakh. The second round of cable thefts again disrupted telephone services in adjoining residential and commercial areas, compounding the communication challenges for local residents and businesses.
Further Damage and Investigation Details
The situation escalated further on February 8, 2026, when BSNL officials detected fresh damage along the same vulnerable stretch of Ashram Road. During this third incident, fiber optic cables were deliberately cut, leading to partial system shutdowns. Although no cable theft occurred during this particular event, the intentional damage to critical communication infrastructure created additional service disruptions.
BSNL officials investigating the pattern of incidents believe the acts were committed during nighttime hours by multiple individuals. This assessment is based on the significant scale of excavation required to access the underground cables and the repeated targeting of the same infrastructure corridor along Ashram Road.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Navrangpura police have registered a formal case of theft and damage to public property against unknown persons. Law enforcement authorities are currently reviewing CCTV footage from surveillance cameras in the affected areas to identify potential suspects. Additionally, police patrols around vulnerable telecommunications infrastructure have been intensified as a preventive measure.
An active investigation is underway to identify the culprits responsible for the cable thefts and prevent further disruption to essential communication services. Police officials emphasize the seriousness of targeting critical public infrastructure and have committed to pursuing all investigative leads to resolve the case.
The repeated targeting of BSNL's underground cable network highlights vulnerabilities in protecting critical communication infrastructure. As the investigation continues, affected residents and businesses in Navrangpura, Ellisbridge, and Gulbai Tekra await permanent restoration of reliable telephone services while authorities work to apprehend those responsible for the disruptive thefts.
