Telecommunication Right Of Way Rules, 2024

On September 19, 2024, the Department of Telecommunications issued the Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024 ("RoW Rules"). The draft rules for the RoW Rules were published on July 10, 2024, for a 30 (thirty) day period of public consultation. These RoW Rules are in supersession of the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016, and the Indian Telegraph (Infrastructure Safety) Rules, 2022, notified under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.

The RoW Rules broadly state the following:

1. Rule 3 states that the provisions apply to all instances where the right of way is required for telecommunication infrastructure, either on public or private property. It also directs that all applications for right of way must be submitted through a designated online portal to ensure standardisation and transparency;