With overhead optical fibre cables (OFCs) and power transmission and distribution lines cluttering the city and posing safety risks, Bengaluru Corporation has issued a work order to Arthur D Little, a digital and information management solutions provider, for setting up a 12,800km-long digital infrastructure utility corridor in the city. The Rs 2 billion initiative is part of the ongoing efforts to overhaul Bengaluru's urban infrastructure under the ‘Brand Bengaluru' campaign. The project work is likely to begin soon. "The ambitious project aims to establish an extensive underground utility corridor across Bengaluru, replacing the existing overhead OFCs with a robust, city-wide optical fibre network that will integrate both telecommunications and electrical infrastructure. A significant portion of the ducts—approximately 3,400km long — has been allocated to electricity utilities such as Bescom, and Smart City projects," said BBMP chief engineer BS Prahalad. Currently, Bengaluru is equipped with about 15,000km of ducts. The new digital utility corridor will leverage these existing ducts to create a more streamlined and safer urban environment. By integrating telecom and power systems, the project aims to reduce the visual clutter caused by overhead cables and improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow. "The presence of hanging OFCs on footpaths, trees, and electricity poles has long been a concern for residents and commuters in Bengaluru. These unauthorised cables, often installed by various telecom, TV, and internet service providers, not only tarnish the city's aesthetics but also pose serious risks to pedestrians and motorists," Prahalad told TOI. "The shift to underground ducts will eliminate these hazards and create a safer, cleaner urban space," he added. "The places where the works will begin will be announced soon," confirmed another senior BBMP engineer. Another source said the work is likely to begin in the Mahadevapura zone. BBMP plans to charge a fee on OFC providers for using the newly created underground ducts, which will help generate revenue for the city's development. BBMP documents accessed by TOI revealed that the digital utility corridor project is part of a broader push to expand optical fibre infrastructure across the country. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is currently working on the development of a 10,000km OFC network across India, which will be crucial for expanding internet connectivity to remote areas, as well as speeding up the rollout of 5G and 6G technologies. As part of this initiative, 1,367km of the OFC network will be developed along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway, and 512km will be established along the Hyderabad-Bengaluru corridor. These efforts are designed to build a digital highway that will not only enhance connectivity but also provide a plug-and-play model for telecom services. The OFC network will be leased on a fixed price allotment basis through a web portal, making it easier for telecom service providers to utilise the infrastructure, added a senior BBMP official.