Patna : In a major digital governance push, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a strict directive in Bihar to curb unauthorised road excavation by government departments and public agencies. Entities failing to notify planned digs through the CBUD (Call Before You Dig) app may now face fines of up to Rs 50 lakh, in addition to full compensation for any infrastructure damage caused.
This crackdown follows a worrying pattern of negligence. In the past year alone, 1,358 excavations were reported across Bihar—220 of which were conducted without any notification on the CBUD platform, leading to significant damage to underground telecom cables, pipelines, and utilities.
The CBUD app, developed in coordination with the Bihar government, requires users to input specific details about upcoming excavation projects, including location, timing, depth, and length. This allows relevant departments to receive alerts and prevent damage to crucial underground infrastructure.
Over 3,900 departments and 1,300 agencies are currently registered on the platform. However, officials note that major projects such as the Patna Metro have yet to onboard, which has raised concerns. “Projects like these dig deep and pose a serious threat to telecom infrastructure,” said DoT Deputy Director General Dilip Kumar.
Notices have been issued to key entities including the South and North Bihar Power Distribution Companies, urban local bodies like Patna Municipal Corporation, Bihar State Road Development Corporation, the Namami Gange project, and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), instructing them to comply with mandatory digital registration before any excavation.
This digital coordination model is aimed at preventing accidental damage through real-time alerts to departments operating underground networks. Under Section 42(5) of the Indian Telecommunications Act, 2023, agencies are liable for compensation in cases of network damage due to unauthorised digging.
