Jharkhand offers single-window clearance for mobile towers

Cellular towers in China
The main features of the Communication Towers and Related Structures Policy, 2015 announced by Jharkhand state government is the single window clearance and uniform rates for setting up telecom towers.

Telecom industry body COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India) today said that the policy is indicative of the state government’s intent to achieve greater and inclusive connectivity in Jharkhand, especially in rural and remote areas.

The state’s policy makes provision for a Single-Window Clearance System to clear new and pending applications for installing new mobile towers in the state.

The policy allows for mobile towers to be set up in all types of residential, multi-storeyed, industrial and institutional buildings, and on open lands.

The policy specifies charges for setting up new mobile towers, including registration charges such as INR 20,000 to the Municipal Corporation, INR 15,000 to Nagar Parishads and Nagar Panchayats, and INR 10,000 to Panchayat Samiti areas to install a mobile tower.

“Besides allowing towers to be set up on residential buildings and open lands, the policy also has a provision for setting up towers atop government and semi-government buildings,” said Rajan S Mathews, director general of COAI.

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