The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has requested the Chandigarh Union Territory (UT) administration to incorporate ‘shareable telecom, telecom and power ducts’ in all linear infrastructure, such as pipelines and roads, to promote robust digital infrastructure and connectivity. DoT has directed the administration to implement this move for local agency development projects and existing infrastructure.
The ministry has also urged the UT administration to increase optical fibre cable deployment due to the rapid expansion of digital services, increased demand of 5G and expansion of 4G services since this has led to frequent road cutting, disruptions, damage to existing utilities, and aesthetic concerns. This has resulted not only in avoidable expenditure on repair and maintenance but also frequent breakdown of telecommunication services. Therefore, the ministry mentioned that shareable telecom, telecom and power ducts use a single underground conduit which can be used by multiple service providers, minimising the need for frequent excavation, hence disruption.
In addition, the letter suggested that implementing common ducts for telecom and power utilities would reduce costs and constraints. The one-time cost of such ducts would be offset by reduced disruptions, reduced service deployment costs, lower maintenance, improved telecom service quality, and maintenance of urban aesthetics.
