Provisions applicable to property vested in or under the control or management of local authorities.Central

Section 14 of The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885

The telegraph authority may, for the purpose of exercising the powers conferred upon it by this Act in respect of any property vested in or under the control or management of a local authority, alter the position thereunder of any pipe (not being a main) for the supply of gas or water, or of any drain (not being a main drain): Provided that

(a)when the telegraph authority desires to alter the position of any such pipe or drain it shall give reasonable notice of its intention to do so, specifying the time at which it will begin to do so, to the local authority, and, when the pipe or drain is not under the control of the local authority, to the person under whose control the pipe or drain is;
(b)a local authority or person receiving notice under clause (a) may send a person to superintend the work, and the telegraph authority shall execute the work to the reasonable satisfaction of the person so sent.

Summary

The telegraph authority has the power to alter the position of gas or water pipes or drains on local authority property.
This power does not apply to main pipes or main drains.
The telegraph authority must give reasonable notice before starting the work, specifying the start time.
This notice must go to the local authority or the person who controls the pipe or drain.
The recipient of the notice can send a person to supervise the work, which must be completed to their reasonable satisfaction.

Practical examples

1In September 2026, the telegraph authority needs to dig a trench for telegraph cables in Pune. A minor water connection pipe lies directly in the way. Under Section 14, the authority notifies Pune Municipal Corporation and safely relocates the minor pipe under the supervision of a municipal inspector.

2In Delhi, a private gas pipeline blocks a proposed telegraph post. The telegraph authority provides written notice to the gas company under Section 14, schedules the work for October 15, and moves the pipe to the satisfaction of the gas company's engineer who was sent to oversee the work.

FAQ

1. Can the telegraph authority move main water lines under Section 14 of the 1885 Telegraph Act?

No, Section 14 of the 1885 Telegraph Act explicitly excludes mains, stating the power applies to any pipe not being a main or any drain not being a main drain.

2. What must the notice contain under Section 14 of the Indian telegraph law?

Under Section 14 of the Indian telegraph law, the notice must specify the telegraph authority's intention to alter the position of the pipe or drain and the time at which the work will begin.

3. Who supervises pipe alteration work under Section 14 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885?

According to Section 14 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the local authority or the person in control of the pipe or drain can send a person to superintend the work.

Test yourself

Q1.Under Section 14 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, which of the following utility lines CANNOT have its position altered by the telegraph authority?

Q2.Under Section 14 of the 1885 Telegraph Act, what must the telegraph authority do before altering a pipe or drain?

Q3.Under Section 14 of the Indian telegraph law, what right does a local authority or controlling person have upon receiving a notice of alteration?

Q4.Under Section 14 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, to what standard must the telegraph authority execute the pipe or drain relocation?

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