Goa telecom policy bats for instant approval for mobile towers

The Goa Cabinet has approved the state Telecom Infrastructure policy which will enable single-window clearance for erection of mobile telephony towers and laying of telecom cables in the state. It will do away with the need for clearances from local elected bodies.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the policy would help create the much needed infrastructure to ensure wider reach of mobile and Internet networks in the state, which has been struggling to start its online education initiatives due to a poor cellular network and data connectivity.
“The Cabinet has approved the policy. The state has been divided into urban, semi-urban and rural clusters. Permissions from local bodies will not be required for setting up mobile towers or laying of cables. The scheme has been formulated by the Information Technology Ministry, but will be implemented by the Public Works Department Ministry,” Sawant told a press conference after a meeting of the state Cabinet on Wednesday.