Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Telangana Adopts Telecom Act and Right-of-Way Rules
Telangana will now follow India’s Telecommunications Act-2023 and Right of Way Rules-2024.
These rules explain how telecom companies can install and maintain networks on public land.
Government departments and local bodies must use one online portal to handle these requests.
BharatNet and other special telecom projects must receive the highest priority.
Public entities cannot charge certain fees for these projects on public property.
Telecom equipment will not be counted when calculating property taxes or other charges on the property.
Officials and contractors must use the Call Before u Dig app before starting excavation.
Damaging critical telecom infrastructure can lead to prison, fines, compensation and civil penalties.
The State government will monitor implementation through district and State-level committees.
Telangana has adopted the Telecommunications Act-2023 and Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules-2024 with immediate effect.
All public entities must process right-of-way applications exclusively through the Department of Telecommunications’ Telecom e-Services portal.
BharatNet and other notified special projects will receive priority and face no fees for telecom infrastructure on public property.
Telecom networks will be excluded from property-tax, cess, fee and duty assessments on the properties where they are installed.
Public entities must use the Call Before u Dig application before excavation, with penalties for damage to critical telecom infrastructure.
- Who
- The Telangana State government, public entities, telecom infrastructure agencies and contractors are affected; Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju issued the order.
- What
- Telangana adopted the Telecommunications Act-2023 and Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules-2024 and prescribed procedures for telecom infrastructure permissions and protection.
- When
- The order takes immediate effect; nodal officers and public entities must complete specified onboarding and compliance steps within 30 days.
- Where
- Throughout Telangana, including municipalities, municipal corporations, local bodies, gram panchayats and other public properties.
- Why
- To standardize right-of-way permissions, prioritize BharatNet and special projects, coordinate excavation, prevent infrastructure damage and ensure continuity of public telecom services.
- Legal framework
- The Telecommunications Act-2023 and Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules-2024 apply in Telangana.
- Online processing
- All right-of-way applications, permissions and related communications must use the Telecom e-Services portal.
- BharatNet status
- BharatNet has been notified as a special project under the Right of Way Rules-2024.
- Public-property charges
- Public entities must not levy fees, charges, rent, annuity, bank guarantees or other financial contributions for notified special projects on public property.
- Property taxation
- Telecommunication networks cannot be included in property-tax, cess, fee or duty assessments on the property where they are installed.
- Excavation procedure
- The Call Before u Dig application is the sole platform for coordinating excavation activities in the State.
- Infrastructure damage penalty
- Damage to critical telecom infrastructure may result in imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to two crore rupees, or both, along with compensation and civil penalties.
- Pending applications
- Applications submitted up to March 31, 2026 should preferably be disposed of by September 30, 2026.