Question : DIESEL POWERED TOWERS

(a) the number and the percentage of mobile towers being powered by diesel generators in the country, State-wise;

(b) whether any study has been conducted by the Government to assess the quantum of carbon emission from these towers;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the telecom sector has become the second largest consumer of diesel after Railway which result in loss of revenue to exchequer on subsidized diesel;

(e) if so, the quantum of diesel consumed in telecom sector along with the loss of revenue to the Government during the last three years and the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(f) whether it is a fact that maximum number of mobile towers remain nonfunctional due to shortage of maintenance and supply of diesel to power them; and

(g) if so, the action taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI MILIND DEORA)

(a) There are 5.85 lakhs Mobile towers as on 31st January 2013 in the country and in all the mobile towers, DG sets have been installed as a backup power.

(b) TRAI in its report has indicated an average fuel consumption of 8760 litres diesel every year per tower assuming 8 hours of opearation by Diesel Generator sets. Total carbon emission on account of diesel use by telecom towers is estimated to be around 10 Mt of Carbon-dioxide (CO2). However, no study has been conducted by Government to assess the quantum of Carbon Emission from the mobile BTS.

(c) Nil in view of (b) above.

(d) The actual date for consumption of diesel in the Telecom Sector is not available. However, TRAI in its report has indicated an average fuel consumption of 8760 liters diesel every year per tower assuming 8 hours of operation by Diesel Generator sets. The diesel available in the market is being used by the operators in operating the cellular mobile towers in Telecom Sector.

(e) Nil in view of (d) above.

(f) No case of non-functioning of mobile BTS due to shortage of supply of diesel to power them has come to the notice.

(g) Nil in view of (f) above.