The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approached Larsen & Toubro (L&T) to find a lasting solution to recurring cable theft along Mumbai’s 10.58-km Coastal Road, which has disrupted CCTV surveillance and street lighting at several locations.
The civic body has asked L&T to examine engineering options that can protect power and communication cables from repeated theft and damage. Around 60–65 CCTV cameras have reportedly been affected, while nearly 110 km of power cables have been replaced along the corridor.
The problem has persisted despite efforts to change the type of cables being used. Initially, copper cables were installed for electrical infrastructure, but repeated theft prompted their replacement with aluminium cables. However, thieves subsequently targeted the aluminium cables as well. Vulnerable stretches reportedly include areas near Mahalaxmi Temple, Markandeshwar Temple, Madrasi Wadi and Worli.
The repeated incidents have affected both surveillance and lighting systems. The CCTV network requires separate power and communication infrastructure, meaning damage to either cable network can render cameras inoperative. Contractors have reported multiple theft incidents to the police, with complaints and FIRs filed in several cases.
To prevent further losses, the BMC is considering protected underground cabling secured at regular intervals. Another possibility is wireless surveillance, using GSM or 4G connectivity to transmit CCTV footage without depending on conventional fibre-optic cables.
L&T has received the civic body’s request and is examining the proposed engineering solutions. However, the company has indicated that the additional work falls outside its existing contractual responsibilities.
The BMC is also considering a pilot project before implementing any solution across the entire corridor. The objective is to minimise repeated restoration costs and ensure uninterrupted operation of critical surveillance and lighting infrastructure.
With the Coastal Road increasingly serving as a major transport corridor, authorities are seeking a more resilient system that can withstand repeated attempts to steal or damage essential cables.
Source: Prop News Time
