Mobile towers project in naxal-hit areas affected by wrong estimates

Progress in the Rs 3,046-crore mobile phone towers project in naxal affected areas across nine states is stuck due to wrong estimates by the Department of Telecom. BSNL, which has to implement this project, has brought this ‘arithmetical error’ to the DoT’s notice. There is a difference of about Rs 789 crore between actual requirement and the project budget approved by Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs. As per the correction highlighted by BSNL, the government will have to provide for an additional Rs 789 crore. Inter-ministerial panel Telecom Commission has to take a call on it and due to higher revised estimates and inclusion of certain items, the project may have to be again placed before Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs. BSNL was asked to set up towers at 2,199 locations in the nine states in next 12 months, by June 2014.