DIPA seeks timely support from govt for telecom connectivity in Himachal Pradesh

The Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), a leading association in the telecom industry, has written to Shri Prabodh Saxena, IAS, Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, seeking timely support during the heavy rains and landslides situation impacting districts in Himachal Pradesh.

In the letter addressed to Shri Prabodh Saxena, IAS, Chief Secretary of the Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, DIPA has requested the government’s assistance for ensuring the safety and security of telecom employees, facilitating unrestricted access for telecom personnel to telecom sites, ensuring the availability of diesel for telecom towers, providing power availability, deploying mobile cell on Wheels units, and designating Nodal Officers or Single Points of Contact.

Mr. T.R. Dua, Director-General of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association, stated, “To ensure uninterrupted telecom connectivity and to mitigate the impact of heavy rains on telecom services, we urgently seek the intervention and support of the Himachal Pradesh Government in this difficult and challenging situation. All our members are being proactive and have taken necessary measures to ensure 24/7 connectivity in the areas affected by heavy rains. Background arrangements such as additional DG sets, battery banks, spare parts, and diesel stockpiling are already in place.”

The state has witnessed 113 landslides in the 55 days since the onset of the monsoon, resulting in losses of ₹2,491 crore for the Public Works Department (PWD) and ₹1,000 crore for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

Members of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association include companies such as American Tower, Indus Towers, Summit Digitel, Tower Vision, Ascend Telecom, Sterlite Technologies, Crest Digitel, Suyog Telematics, iBus Networks, Pratap Technocrats, and Signotox Towers, as well as energy solution companies like Applied Solar Technologies.

CT Bureau