Telangana Adopts Telecommunications Act-2023 and Right of Way Rules-2024

An order to this effect was issued here on Saturday and it would come into force with immediate effect, according to Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju.

With this, the G.O. Ms. No. 2, ITE&C Department, dated February 19, 2021 shall stand superseded with effect from January 1, 2025, except for permissions already granted thereunder. All public entities shall hereafter grant RoW permissions strictly in accordance with the said Act and Rules.

Nodal Officers at Department level

All Departments, Local Bodies, Corporations, SPSUs and other public entities shall nominate Nodal Officers and onboard them on the Telecom e-Services portal of the Department of Telecommunications, within 30 days from the date of this order.

All RoW applications, permissions and related communications shall be processed exclusively through the said portal. Detailed procedure, timelines, fees, deemed approval and related matters shall refer to the Act and RoW rules.

BharatNet and Special Projects

BharatNet has been notified as a Special Project under the RoW Rules-2024. All public entities shall accord highest priority to BharatNet and other notified special projects, and shall not levy any fee, charge, rent, annuity, bank guarantee or any other financial contribution on their implementing agencies or contractors for establishment, operation or maintenance of telecom infrastructure in public property.

Telecommunication Network – Property Tax and Other Levies

In accordance with Section 14(3) of the Telecommunications Act-2023, any telecommunication network installed on, over or under a property shall not be considered as part of such property for the purpose of any transaction, property tax, levy, cess, fees or duties applicable to such property. All Municipalities, Municipal Corporations, Local Bodies including Grama Panchayats and other authorities shall accordingly ensure that telecommunication networks are not considered for assessment or levy of property tax, levy, cess, fees or duties on the property.

Call Before u Dig (CBuD)

The Call Before u Dig (CBuD) mobile application notified by the Central government shall be the sole platform for coordination of excavation activities in the State. All public entities and their contractors shall onboard the CBuD application within 30 days from the date of this order and shall mandatorily use it before commencing any excavation.

Damage to critical telecommunication infrastructure shall be punishable and the offences committed under this section shall be cognizable and non-bailable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine which may extend up to two crore rupees, or with both and shall attract compensation and civil penalties as provided under the Section (42) of the Telecommunications Act-2023.

DISCOM Obligations

All Distribution Companies (DISCOMs) shall treat electricity connections provided to notified projects such as BharatNet and other telecommunication projects notified by the Central government as government connections for the purpose of electricity supply and accord priority for providing new connections and implement a Common Application Form and consolidated or composite billing arrangement for telecom entities operating multiple sites including connections issued for BharatNet GPs.

The Energy Department shall issue necessary directions within 30 days.

State Nodal Officer

The Special Chief Secretary to Government, ITE&C Department, is hereby designated as the Nodal Officer for the purposes of Section 14(4) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.No public entity shall take any coercive action against a telecommunication network established by an authorised entity — such as sealing, prevention of access, or forcible shutdown — except with the prior permission of an officer authorised by the Central government in this behalf.

This restriction shall not apply in cases of natural disaster or public emergency. In all such matters, the provisions of Section 14(4) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023, shall be duly observed, so as to ensure the continuity of public telecommunication services.

Monitoring

The ITE&C Department shall monitor implementation of the Telecom Act-2023 and RoW Rules. District Collectors shall review progress at the monthly District Level Telecom Committee (DLTC) meetings. State Broadband Committee (SBC) under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary shall review the progress of telecom infrastructure on a quarterly basis.

All SPSUs, Corporations and public entities shall issue internal compliance orders within 30 days.

Backlog Clearance

All pending applications submitted up to March 31, 2026 shall be disposed of preferably by September 30, 2026.

Dispute Resolution

The District Magistrate, or any other authority notified by the Central government, within whose jurisdiction the property is situated, shall have exclusive powers to resolve disputes under the RoW Rules-2024, other than disputes relating to compensation for damage to property or underground telecom assets as per the Act.

The Central government may establish or approve one or more online dispute resolution mechanisms for the resolution of disputes between users and authorized entities providing telecommunication services.