Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) has applauded government of Manipur for becoming the first state in India to grant all right of way (RoW) permissions. DIPA represents the telecom infrastructure providers such as Indus Towers, American Tower Co., 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 solutions company like Applied Solar Technologies.
The RoW rules, notified in November 2016, provides for a framework to give approvals for setting up of telecom towers and laying of fibre 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 time bound approvals.
Commenting on the development, T.R. Dua, director-general, DIPA, said, “Representatives of DIPA have been making enormous efforts with Manipur government for the implementation and alignment of the RoW Rules November 2016 through the joint meeting, submissions with various advisories and directions by DoT, team of National Broadband Mission (NBM) and finally we have zero RoW permission pending in Manipur. We also thank Nongthombam Biren Singh, chief minister, Manipur, Dr. Rajesh Kumar, chief secretary, Manipur, DoT North-East LSA and NBM directorate for their continuous support towards this achievement”
