The Department of Telecom (DoT) held a meeting with state IT secretaries and other government officials to expedite approvals for quick rollout of Broadband across the country.
The Ministry of Communications said the DoT has taken various steps such as coming up with new policies like the National Digital Communication Policy (NDCP) and the implementation of the National Broadband Mission to increase internet broadband penetration in India.
“For quick rollout of Broadband across the country it is necessary that the Telecom and Infrastructure companies are able to lay optical fibre cables and install new towers; which is possible only if state governments and local bodies provide necessary Right of Way (RoW) approvals promptly,” the ministry statement added.
Accordingly, emphasizing the importance of broadband connectivity throughout the nation, DoT has decided to review the status of grant of such approvals at regular intervals with participation of COAI, DIPA etc. and has appealed to State Governments to expedite RoW Application Approval Process in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016, it added.
The recent DoT meeting was chaired by Secretary (Telecom), K Rajaraman. Hari Ranjan Rao, Additional Secretary (T), Nizamul Haq, Director General (Telecom) and other senior officers from Department of Telecommunications also attended the same.
During the meeting, K. Rajaraman said that there should be no delay in grant of Right of Way permissions as it can become a major impediment in growth of communication services. He stated that there is a direct correlation between low broadband penetration and non alignment of ROW rules in the same state/LSA.
The problem could be exacerbated in light of planned 5G rollout in near future. Rajaraman directed all DoT field units to conduct monthly meetings with service providers to review application approval process and pendency and also pursue with the state and municipal authorities.
Secretaries and heads of department of state governments were also requested to facilitate speedy disposal of RoW applications in their respective States. State Broadband Committees were also requested for their intervention for alignment of the state policy with Central RoW Rule-2016.
