Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on Wednesday launched the ‘Call Before You Dig’ (CBUD) app to help with digging and inaugurated the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Area Office and Innovation Center in Delhi. The CBUD app will facilitate coordination between excavation agencies and underground utility owners to prevent damage to utilities due to excavation.
Speaking at an event in Delhi, the Prime Minister said, “This decade is the ‘technology’ of India. Within 6 months of launching 5G, India has started talking about 6G. This shows the confidence of India. India is fast becoming an exporter of telecommunication technology. Just being a user. India’s telecom and digital model is seamless, secure, transparent and reliable.”
India rolled out 5G connections in over 125 cities within 120 days. PM Modi said that India will set up 100 5G labs in the coming years.
“It is very natural to expect from India when we talk of bridging the technological divide… In India, telecom technology is about empowering our citizens.”
Prime Minister Modi said, “Today when India is chairing the G20, one of our priorities is to reduce regional divisions. The Global South is making major strides in bridging the technological divide. The ITU Field Office and Innovation Center will also play a role. There is an important role in this.
“Over 800 crore UPI-based digital payments are made every month in India. More than 7 crore e-authentication happens every day. More than Rs 28 lakh crore are directly transferred to the bank accounts of citizens through Direct Benefit Transfer,” PM Modi
Present at the event, International Telecommunication Union Secretary General Doreen Bogdan said, “India is a role model for countries that are looking towards digital transformation. India is home to the largest startup ecosystem, digital payments market and tech workforce. Under PM Modi’s vision and leadership, Digital India has put the country at the forefront of technological innovation and adaptation with game-changing initiatives such as Aadhaar, UPI and others.”
“Innovation in India is happening faster and at a lower cost and at a scale like never before because at the center is the core principle of inclusive growth which is enshrined in the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’,” Bogdan said.
What is Call Before You Dig (CBUD) App?
The “Call Before You Dig” (CBUD) mobile application is an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India. Its purpose is to give mining companies a single point of contact where they can inquire about the presence of existing subsurface utilities before commencing excavation work. Through the program the utility owner can also find out about the upcoming work at the location.