Goa site on Gati Shakti non-functional: ISPs
Panaji: In a bid to arrive at a solution to the issue of unauthorised installation of cables by internet service providers (ISPs) and cable operators on electricity poles, the government on Thursday directed all the telecom service providers and ISPs registered in the state to apply online through the Gatishakti Sanchar portal of the central government for utilising the electricity department’s infrastructure for telecom, internet and television cables.
The ISPs, however, complained that Goa site on the Gati Shakti portal continues to remain non-functional.
In a press communiqué, the state government said the Telecommunication (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 mandate the submission of applications via the central portal to ensure that all requests are processed digitally.
The government directed the ISPs to ensure safety measures, maintain aesthetics and instal cables without disrupting work of electricity department’s staff after obtaining the approval.
With this new development, the ISPs will have to remove all old or unused cables and accessories immediately from the electricity poles. The new directive of the government applies to the service providers, who had previously submitted applications physically.
Once received, the electricity department will review the applications and approve them on a merit basis following payment of the requisite fees, stated the communiqué.
Blaming the information technology (IT) department for inactivity, the ISPs pointed out that while other state sites open up on the Gati Shakti portal via an external link (of the state IT department) with PWD and other departments found in drop down list, the Goa site does not function. “In the case of Goa, the electricity department is not displayed on the site,” said an internet service provider.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had said on Wednesday that the Chief Secretary had resolved the issue of internet and TV cable service providers for the time being. He later said that the state government would lay a single underground cable in the future for providing internet services. He had also said that the cable operators and internet service providers could use the service.
It may be noted that an extensive drive by executive engineer Kashinath Shetye on Tuesday involving severing of cables hanging from the electricity poles had led to internet outage across the state, affecting lakhs of internet users and businesses.
Facing backlash, the government later appointed two nodal officers for North Goa and South Goa to facilitate communication between the ISPs and the electricity department and relieved Shetye of his responsibility.
