The rollout of new mobile towers across Odisha has slowed significantly due to alleged non-cooperation by certain government officials, prompting the state government to intervene with urgent directives. Telecom companies have lodged complaints with the Information Technology and Electronics Department, stating that field officials are obstructing installation activities, particularly in urban areas.
Reports indicate that in several districts, officials have seized construction materials and equipment, citing a lack of No Objection Certificates (NOCs). Telecom operators, however, argue that delays in obtaining these NOCs are largely due to slow processing or pending approvals by the authorities themselves.
The department clarified that all NOC applications must be submitted through theTIFMS online portal, where approvals are required within a fixed timeline. Despite this, companies allege that some officials are insisting onoffline submissions, causing unnecessary delays and procedural confusion.
Taking serious note of the issue, the state government issued a letter to all district collectors and urban local bodies. The directive instructs:
Immediate action to resolve pending NOC approvals
Clear instructions to field-level officials to avoid obstructive practices
Full cooperation with telecom service providers to ensure timely completion of tower installations
The government emphasized that mobile connectivity is essential for public services and digital governance, and delays will not be tolerated.
