Internet Blackout in Hyderabad Triggers Massive Public Protests

Internet Blackout in Hyderabad Triggers Massive Public Protests

Cable operators slammed authorities, warning repeated internet blackouts could paralyze daily life, disrupt businesses, education, and essential communication services.

Hyderabad Internet Blackout Sparks Chaos, Anger, and Protests

Hyderabad: On Thursday, September 11, Hyderabad faced an unexpected internet outage after the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Corporation Limited (TGSPDCL) allegedly cut cables strung across electricity poles. What appeared at first to be a technical glitch soon turned into a citywide disruption, halting businesses, online education, digital payments, and even functioning of government offices.

The sudden blackout left thousands of households in shock. Students preparing for competitive exams were seen anxiously refreshing their devices, hoping for the signal bars to return. Small businesses dependent on UPI payments and online orders were caught in the middle of crucial transactions. Freelancers and IT professionals working from home complained of losing hours of productive time and even missing deadlines. Many families reported that the disruption hit them during essential communications with relatives abroad, intensifying frustration across neighborhoods.

Cable Operators Protest on Streets

The immediate fallout was visible on the streets of Chandrayangutta X Road, where cable operators staged a dharna in protest. Their sit-in, though peaceful, led to traffic snarls for a brief period as vehicles slowed down to navigate the congested intersection. Protesters held placards condemning the TGSPDCL’s move and demanded urgent intervention from state authorities to restore services.

Cable operators accused the authorities of acting irresponsibly without considering the hardship caused to lakhs of people. “This is not just about watching television or browsing the internet,” one operator said angrily. “People run their livelihoods on these connections. Students attend online classes, journalists file reports, businesses carry out digital transactions. Cutting cables like this cripples the entire system of everyday life.”

Their words resonated with many passersby who paused to express solidarity. “My daughter had her online test today, and she couldn’t even log in,” said a frustrated parent who joined the protest briefly. “It is the common people who are suffering.”

Secretariat Functioning Affected

Shockingly, the blackout was not limited to residential areas. Reports confirmed that even the Telangana Secretariat, the nerve centre of state governance, was affected. The outage disrupted communication and workflow within government offices. Some officials privately admitted that the situation embarrassed the administration, as it exposed the lack of coordination between power utilities and internet service providers.

According to insiders, the blackout might persist — or even worsen — as TGSPDCL continues its crackdown on illegally strung cables across power poles. The action stems from a recent court order that directed strict measures after the tragic electrocution of six people during a religious procession last month. Investigations revealed that haphazardly hung cables contributed to unsafe conditions, prompting the southern discom to launch a large-scale removal drive.

Mismanagement and Lack of Responsibility

While the crackdown was backed by safety concerns, citizens and consumer groups questioned the manner in which it was executed. Instead of a phased removal with prior warnings and alternative arrangements, cables were cut abruptly, leading to chaos.

Private internet service providers (ISPs) and cable operators, on their part, have also come under fire. According to a report by Deccan Chronicle, ISPs have shown little interest in cleaning up the mess of dangling and unused cables that have accumulated dangerously over the years. Officials allege that rather than tackling the problem head-on, service providers have been sending misleading text messages and automated calls to customers, promising that services would be restored “soon.”

Many consumers, however, reported receiving these same messages repeatedly, with vague timelines that kept extending without clarity. “First they said two hours, then they said evening, then by midnight. Nothing has been restored yet,” complained a frustrated customer from Mehdipatnam.

The Everyday Impact

The human impact of the blackout has been far-reaching. At tea stalls, office canteens, and bus stops, conversations centered around the outage. Students exchanged notes about missed online lectures. Shopkeepers narrated stories of losing customers who walked away because digital payments failed.

Freelancers and IT workers shared their struggles on social media, using mobile data packs as temporary lifelines. “I had to rush to a café 15 kilometers away to submit my project,” tweeted a young software engineer. Others pointed out that the blackout worsened inequalities: while some could afford backup connections or mobile data, low-income families and small vendors were left helpless.

Safety vs. Connectivity Dilemma

The tragedy that sparked the crackdown — the electrocution of six people — still looms large in public memory. Citizens acknowledge that tangled, poorly maintained cables are indeed a safety hazard. However, they also argue that there should have been better planning to balance safety with uninterrupted connectivity.

Urban planners and technology experts suggest that the city needs a long-term policy for structured underground cabling. “What we are seeing is a failure of foresight,” said a technology analyst. “Hyderabad prides itself as a tech hub, but the infrastructure of internet and cable services is hanging by literal threads from electric poles. This is unsustainable and unsafe.”

Voices Growing Louder

As the protests continue, pressure is mounting on both the government and private operators. Consumer rights groups are demanding compensation for the losses incurred by individuals and businesses. Political parties, sensing public anger, have begun raising the issue, calling it an example of mismanagement.

For now, citizens are caught in a tug-of-war between safety enforcement and poor service accountability. Until a structured solution is found, Hyderabad’s digital lifeline remains vulnerable to sudden disconnections, leaving people to wonder when the next blackout might strike.