Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha today, said that the Nationwide disaster risk resilience in telecom networks is ensured through DoT’s SOP-2020 for telecommunication services during disasters. As part of the SOP framework, LSAs conduct State Telecom Disaster Coordination Committee (STDCC) meetings with TSPs, State Government authorities and NDRF to assess preparedness and coordinate necessary actions. Continuity of services is supported through Priority Call Routing (PCR), Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR), and rapid restoration measures such as deployment of COWs/mobile BTS, emergency OFC repair teams, and activation of disaster control rooms. Timely public emergency alerts during natural calamities are disseminated through the CAP-based SACHET platform.

Details of mock drills conducted by TSPs and STDCC meetings conducted by DoT LSAs during the last three years, are enclosed at Annexure-I.

Telecom infrastructure is being strengthened through major initiatives under Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) and other programmes, 2,14,904 Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready under BharatNet, with the Amended BharatNet Programme underway to upgrade networks and extend connectivity to remaining GPs and non-GP villages, commissioning of 23,280 mobile towers under 4G Saturation and related projects, and enhancing island connectivity through submarine OFC links between Chennai–A&N (2,312 km) and Kochi–Lakshadweep (1,869 km), along with 225 km of intra-island OFC. Technological innovations such as ICR, priority call routing, infrastructure sharing, and adoption of alternate technologies including satellite, along with close coordination with State authorities through STDCC, further support continuity of services during disasters. These initiatives collectively aim to enhance connectivity, improve network resilience, and strengthen disaster management capability in the telecom sector.

 

 

Annexure-I
 

Sl. No.	Name of LSA	No. of Mock drills conducted by TSPs during last 3 years	No. of STDCC Meetings conducted by LSA during last 3 years
1	Andhra Pradesh	95	9
2	Assam	38	6
3	Bihar	132	3
4	Delhi	148	5
5	Gujarat	154	6
6	Haryana	73	6
7	Himachal Pradesh	53	6
8	Jammu & Kashmir	39	5
9	Karnataka	34	6
10	Kerala	36	4
11	Madhya Pradesh	60	11
12	Maharashtra	5	6
13	Mumbai	28	6
14	North East	40	7
15	Odisha	34	5
16	Punjab	99	6
17	Rajasthan	196	6
18	Tamil Nadu	198	6
19	UP(E)	78	6
20	UP(W)	311	7
21	West Bengal (incl. Kolkata)	138	5

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MI/ARJ

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