The Delhi government has released the its right of way (RoW) policy called the ‘Delhi RoW Policy for Underground Infrastructure and Overground Infrastructure, 2023’, in alignment with the central RoW rules to expedite the deployment of telecom infrastructure in the state. The policy extends to the whole of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It shall also be applicable to the area under the Dekhi Cantonment Board to the extent that it does not contradict the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Defence.
The state RoW policy aims to facilitate the deployment of micro-communications equipment/poles on any structure or building, regardless of its specified usage. It seeks to encourage the deployment of in-building solutions. The policy also mentions the guidelines for the usage of street furniture for the installation of small cells and telegraph lines; the establishment of telegraph infrastructure over private property; and the usage of ducts for installing optical fibre cables (OFC), among others.
In an extraordinary gazette, the Delhi government has named the Urban Development Department (UD) of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) as the nodal department for the implementation of the policy. The department shall provide clarification and/or instructions from time to time to overcome the difficulties in the implementation and/or upgradation of the policy. The gazette states that the implementation of this policy shall be done by every concerned and appropriate authority or local body through a designated nodal officer. Principal Secretary (UD), GNCTD shall be the nodal officer for overall coordination for the purposes of this policy.
