<span style="color: #222222;">Department of Telecommunications, DoT has held a meeting with State Information and Technology  Secretaries and DoT officers from head office and Field Units with a view  to expedite approvals for quick rollout of Broadband across the country. The meeting was chaired by Secretary (Telecom),  K Rajaraman. During the meeting, Mr Rajaraman emphasised that there should be no delay in grant of Right of Way permissions as it can become a major impediment in growth of communication services. He stated that there is a direct correlation between low Broadband penetration and non alignment of Right of Way rules  in the same State. He said, the problem could be exacerbated in light of planned 5G rollout in near future.<br />''<br />''Mr Rajaraman also  directed all DoT field units to conduct monthly meetings with Service Providers to review application approval process and pendency.  During the meeting, Secretaries and Heads of Department of State Governments were also requested to facilitate speedy disposal of Right of Way applications in their  States. He said,  DoT  has taken various initiatives for ease of doing business and to increase the penetration of Broadband Internet to ease the lives of citizens through new policies like National Digital Communication Policy  and implementation of the National Broadband Mission.<br />''<br />''Ministry of Communications in a statement said that for quick rollout of Broadband across the country it is necessary that the Telecom and Infrastructure companies are able to lay optical fibre cables and install new Towers. It said, it can be  possible only if State Governments and Local Bodies provide necessary Right of Way approvals promptly.</span><br />