Maharashtra has taken a decisive step towards building digitally inclusive and future-ready cities by mandating dedicated telecom infrastructure in all new buildings. The move, formalised through amendments to the United Development Control and Promotion Regulations (UDCPR), requires developers to provide a telecom room, structured cabling, and a common duct system before a building can secure an occupancy or completion certificate.
The directive aligns digital connectivity with other essential services such as water, power, and fire safety, signalling a policy shift that recognises internet access as critical civic infrastructure. Officials from the state’s urban development department stated that the regulation is aimed at creating seamless access to high-speed networks while reducing unregulated cabling and repeated excavation of public spaces. The policy, effective since early September, follows a request made by the Department of Telecommunications in 2022 to integrate telecom infrastructure into building regulations nationwide. In Maharashtra, architects and developers must now include detailed drawings of intra-building connectivity and service distribution networks as part of their project proposals. Municipal corporations and town planners are tasked with ensuring compliance before granting approvals.
To ensure robustness, the state has laid down strict technical specifications. The telecom systems must be safeguarded against waterlogging, dust, and vibration, with sufficient load-bearing capacity for future equipment. Developers are required to prepare service plans certified by accredited telecom consultants, further reinforcing accountability. In addition, cables must be positioned in service lanes or under parking areas to avoid disruption during repairs and upgrades. The policy also opens the door for oversight by national regulatory bodies. Officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications will be authorised to inspect project plans and recommend modifications where necessary. This collaborative framework is expected to raise the overall quality and reliability of digital infrastructure in the state’s growing urban centres.
Experts in urban planning have welcomed the decision, highlighting its long-term impact on sustainable urban growth. They note that technologies like Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) and Fibre to the Home (FTTH) will be more efficiently deployed under the new system, supporting high-speed access and reducing digital disparity across housing projects. By embedding telecom ducts and common access points at the construction stage, cities can avoid cluttered wiring, frequent road digging, and haphazard installations that have long plagued urban landscapes. The measure is also seen as a step towards building resilient, low-carbon cities. By preventing repeated construction and enabling shared infrastructure among multiple service providers, the regulation reduces both environmental impact and civic disruption. Industry voices further point to its potential in boosting competitiveness in the telecom sector, while offering local bodies an additional revenue stream through regulated wheeling charges.
As Maharashtra’s cities expand and densify, the inclusion of telecom infrastructure in building codes is being seen as a template that other states could replicate. By embedding digital access into the very fabric of new developments, the state is ensuring that the foundations of its urban growth are both equitable and technologically future-proof.
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