Telangana tower density higher than national average

Hyderabad: The Telangana State's tower density is 0.71 per thousand population, as against the national average of 0.42 per cent. This was revealed at the second meeting of the State Broadband Committee here on Wednesday.

Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar, who chaired the meeting, reviewed the progress in the fiberisation of Base Station Towers (BTS). The National Broadband Mission has set the tower density target of 1.7 by 2024.

To extend necessary support for the better communication coverage in the State, the official said that necessary approvals would be given for 109 sites pending for erection of towers. Telangana currently has 24,961 towers. The balance target is 34,902 towers. A special focus would be given on 140 uncovered Gram Panchayats in the State.

He said that the State was having 35 percent fiberisation of BTS at present. It would reach the target of 70 per cent set by the National Broadband Mission soon . Somesh Kumar responded to representations from the Electricity and Panchayat Raj departments, saying the issues would be sorted out at the earliest.

Principal Secretary to Transport Sunil Sharma and IT secretary Jayesh Ranjan and other officials were present in the meeting.