Itanagar: The Arunachal Pradesh power department would soon be installing smart monopoles (street poles with multi telecommunication functions) in a few locations of the state to boost the telecommunication connectivity of the respective areas.
The decision to install the smart monopoles was taken during a meeting between the power department and Indus Towers Limited (project executing company) on Monday which was chaired by deputy chief minister Chowna Mein.
Interacting with the officials, Mein said the smart monopoles, once installed, would prove to be a major boost towards digital revolution in the state as envisaged in the Digital India campaign of the Central government.
“This will also enhance the Arunachal government’s e-digital programmes like online education, e-governance, e-office, etc. The main advantage of the monopole is that the citizens would get the opportunity to enjoy seamless mobile network connectivity,” Mein said.
The deputy chief minister said, lighting solutions which are also a part of the smart monopoles will also provide safety to the pedestrians, reduce road mishaps and crimes and ensure the smooth traffic flow during night with the added street aesthetics.
Each pole will have provision to install other smart elements like CCTV, public address system, etc. that would save the cost for other projects, he said.
Officials said the other major benefit of the project is that it will have no financial implications on the state government as the entire investment shall be done by Indus Towers Limited which is one of the largest telecommunication towers and other wireless services provider in the country.
The state government will instead get revenue at a mutually agreed rate for the next 20 years.
The smart monopoles are initially expected to be installed in the Itanagar Capital Region or the civil secretariat as an in-house pilot project, officials added.
