(a) whether the work related to the installation of new mobile towers and laying of new telecom lines is getting hampered in the forest areas due to the objections raised
by the Forest Department;
(b) if so, the details thereof particularly in the bordering areas of Nepal;
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard; and
(d) the measures taken to set up new towers and enhance connectivity along the Indo-Nepal border particularly in Uttar Pradesh?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b) Madam, One case has been reported by M/s Indus Tower in the Thrissur district of Kerala state wherein the permission for installation of tower was not granted by the Forest department. Besides, in 59 cases grant of permission ARE pending with the Forest department for installation of mobile towers and laying of new telecom lines, although no objection has been raised yet in grant of permission in these cases. However, no case has been reported by any of the TSPs wherein the works related to the installation of new mobile towers and laying of new telecom lines are getting hampered in the forest areas in the bordering areas of Nepal due to objections raised by Forest Department during last three years i.e. 2013 to 2015 and current year i.e. 2016 (upto 30.09.2016).
The above mentioned case where objection have been raised in granting permission relates to construction of a Ground Based Tower (GBT) at Thekumkara GP in Thrissur District by M/s Indus Tower. The permission was withheld by the Forest Department stating that the tower is within 500m from reserve forest and also a tower of M/s BSNL exists within 1 KM of the proposed tower. Further, it was mentioned that as per advisory issued by Forest Department, new tower should not be permitted within 1 Km of existing towers and therefore permission was not granted for new Mobile Tower.
(c) Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) follow up with concerned Forest Department authorities in respective Licensed Service Areas (LSA) for getting the requisite permission for installation of mobile towers and laying of telecom lines in forest areas. However, when cases are reported to Telecom Enforcement, Resource & Monitoring (TERM) Cells, they take appropriate necessary action such as clarifying the concerned forest authorities about the Advisory Guidelines issued by Department of Telecommunication (DoT) for installation of mobile towers.
In the case as mentioned above where objection have been raised in granting permission, the matter was taken up in the District Level Telecom Committee (DTC) meeting of Thrissur and TERM Cell Kerala clarified that Advisory Guidelines issued by DoT for installation of new mobile towers place no such restriction and tower may be permitted.
(d) In order to strengthen mobile connectivity in areas close to the Indo-Nepal international border, TSPs are conducting regular drive test to optimize the coverage of sites to ensure proper coverage/connectivity. However, it is ensured that radio signals fade out when nearing or about to cross international border and become unusable within a reasonable distance across international border. Further, M/s BSNL is also planning to add new sites near Indo-Nepal International border under Central Arms Police Force (CAPF) project.