The Internet Service Providers’ Association Nepal (ISPAN) has requested an additional 15 days to complete the management of unmanaged internet, telephone, and cable wires that have remained tangled on utility poles across Kathmandu Valley for years.

The request was made during a meeting held at the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology on Friday, where ISPAN informed stakeholders that it could not complete the work within the previously assigned deadline.

Representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Nepal Telecom, ISPAN, and other concerned agencies participated in the meeting.

Ministry Warns of Final Deadline

During the meeting, Communication Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina reviewed the progress of cable management works and expressed dissatisfaction over the failure to meet the deadline.

He stated that the government is ready to provide necessary support but the process cannot be delayed indefinitely.

The minister emphasized that managing unmanaged cables is the legal and professional responsibility of service providers and instructed stakeholders to complete the task with measurable results.

He also directed authorities to study possibilities for shared infrastructure usage among multiple service providers.

ISPAN Requests Additional Time

ISPAN Chief Executive Officer Subhas Khadka informed that around 58% of the work has been completed among the six routes identified for the first phase in Kathmandu Valley.

According to ISPAN, cable management work is also ongoing in other parts of Nepal.

The organization cited several challenges, including limited infrastructure support from Nepal Electricity Authority, difficulties in mobilizing manpower, coordination issues with police and traffic authorities, and shortage of skilled workers.

ISPAN stated that it will now concentrate available manpower in specific areas to accelerate completion.

Earlier Commitment to Complete by August 15

Earlier, during a high-level inter-agency meeting held on Ashadh 31, ISPAN had committed to completing cable management works on six initial routes of Kathmandu Valley by Shrawan 15.

However, after failing to meet the deadline, ISPAN requested an additional 15 days. The Ministry of Communication has clarified that the extended period will be the final opportunity for completion.