PANAJI
The Central government’s ambitious project for saturation of 4G mobile services through BSNL in uncovered villages, has hit a major roadblock in Goa due to non-availability of land for installation of towers and other necessary infrastructure, coupled with public opposition and high rent demand from private land owners.
As per the 4G saturation policy, launched in 2022, the State identified 66 locations for installation of mobile towers; however in more than 50 per cent cases, the land is a hurdle. According to sources, so far, 31 sites are allotted to BSNL for installation of towers and remaining sites are pending due to various reasons like sites belong to forest land or private land or public opposition.
The department of telecommunication, government of India has asked various State governments to extend their support for the implementation of 4G mobile services and ensure speedy implementation.
Sources informed that the government proposed to acquire or take on lease 26 private land parcels but they are asking for huge compensation or rents. Some private land has got title issues as the land belongs to their ancestor names and hence the same cannot be acquired.
The government or BSNL managed to take on lease three land parcels.
“It has become difficult to hire remaining land,” sources said, adding that the issue was taken up with the Revenue Secretary who directed State authorities to carry out a survey jointly with BSNL and identify the government-available land for infrastructure development.
During the survey, the authorities managed to identify 13 land parcels; however in the case of eight locations, the public protested and the work could not go forward. “Despite being government land, the public were protesting,” sources said adding “the government has now decided to undertake work under police protection”.
The project will provide 4G mobile services in about 25,000 uncovered villages in remote and difficult areas across India. The project is funded through the Universal Service Obligation Fund. This is a time-bound exercise with a target of completion of project in 500 days, according to the Centre.
