DIPA requests Himachal Govt's assistance for seamless telecom services

A major telecom sector organisation, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA), has asked the Himachal Pradesh government for assistance in order to maintain constant connectivity even in trying circumstances. The organisation wrote to Prabodh Saxena, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, requesting prompt assistance during the state's current landslip and heavy rain emergency. The organisation has asked the government to oversee the protection of telecom workers as well as the deployment of cell on wheels, the availability of power, nodal officers/single points of contact, and unrestricted access for telecom personnel to telecom sites.

T.R. Dua, Director-General of the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association, said, "To ensure round-the-clock telecom connectivity and in order to contain the effect of the heavy rains on telecom services, we seek Himachal Pradesh Government’s urgent intervention and support in this difficult and challenging situation. All our members are proactive and have taken necessary steps to ensure connectivity 24/7 in the areas which have been affected by the heavy rains and all the background arrangements like additional DG sets, battery banks, spare parts, stocking of diesel are taken care of."

113 landslides have occurred in Himachal Pradesh in the last 2 months since the monsoon season started. The Public Works Department (PWD) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) both suffered losses of Rs 2491 crore and Rs 1000 crore, respectively, as a result of this. The organisation wants to make sure that the government helps the telecom companies and the people who work for them so that everyone can still have access to connectivity even in these trying times.

A number of businesses, including Indus Towers, American Tower, Sterlite Technologies, Summit Digitel, and others, are members of DIPA.