New Delhi : Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), an apex industry body representing Digital Infrastructure providers industry in India applauds the Gujarat government for adopting the RoW 2016 policy in the state. Gujarat has become the latest state to issue Right of Way (RoW) rules for easing telecom infrastructure rollout in the state, in line with the guidelines issued by the Centre in November 2016, as per telecom industry bodies.
DIPA represents the telecom infrastructure providers such as American Tower Co., Indus Towers, Summit Digitel (earlier Reliance Jio Infratel), Tower Vision, Ascend Telecom, Sterlite Technologies, Space Tele Infra, Suyog Telematics, iBus networks, V-Con Telecom as well as energy solution companies like Applied Solar Technologies.
Mr.T.R.Dua, Director-General, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association, said,” We are thankful to the Government of Gujarat for releasing the long awaited Gujarat RoW policy . Telecom infrastructure industry has been playing a vital role in containing the impact of lockdown due to the pandemic COVID-19. The adoption of RoW Rules, Nov’2016 and implementation thereof in a consistent manner in Gujarat will not only streamline hassle free Right of Way processes but will also result in effective and faster readiness of Gujarat for contributing towards connected Digital India roadmap, encompassing programs like Smart Cities and Digital Society. We also thank and applaud Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India , Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Minister of State for Communications of India, Department of Telecommunications, National Broadband Mission Directorate for their continuous support and intervention in getting the long awaited policy issued.”
The Gujarat government has realized the need for creating a robust and Communication Technology Infrastructure. As per the policy, the state government has fixed a one-time fee of Rs 10,000 per application to meet administrative expenses for the installation of telecom tower deployment. Telecom companies will be charged Rs 1,000 per kilometre for rolling out optical fibre cable (OFC), be it underground or overground. Time bound clearance within 6o Days with Deemed approval provision.
The policy encourages the deployment of towers, OFC, cell on wheel, micro sites, small cell, in-building solution etc that are essential to improve the digital connectivity across urban municipal corporations and other areas of Gujarat.
The Right of way (RoW) rules, notified way back in November 2016, provides for a framework to give approvals for setting up of telecom towers and laying of fiber cables and settle disputes in a time-bound manner, as well as improve coordination between companies and the State government authorities and local bodies. It also prescribes for setting up a web-based online portal for single window clearance mechanism to ensure timebound approvals.