The Maharashtra Urban Development Department (UDD) has issued a notice (dated 30 September 2024) inviting suggestions and objections regarding a proposed addendum to the Model Building Bye-Laws 2016, issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The addendum is set to be incorporated into the Development Control and Promotion Regulations – 2034 for Greater Mumbai. Aimed at enhancing digital connectivity infrastructure in Mumbai and its suburbs, the notice calls on architects, developers, and town planners to provide input on the inclusion of Common Telecommunication Infrastructure (CTI) in new building plans. It mandates that building proposal plans must feature provisions for CTI, including a common duct and telecom room to support intra- and inter-connectivity. According to the notice, occupancy or building completion certificates will only be granted once the CTI is in place and meets prescribed standards. This directive aligns with the addendum to the Model Building Bye-Laws 2016 and has been issued under Section 154 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. The notice, issued under Section 37(1AA) of the MRTP Act, specifies that all new buildings with a built-up area exceeding 465 sq m must include a telecom room measuring at least 3.0 m x 2.4 m. For buildings with a built-up area smaller than 465 square metres, the minimum dimensions of the telecom room should be 0.6 m x 2.6 m or 1.3 m x 1.3 m. The telecom room must be flood-resistant and safeguarded against exposure to water, moisture, fumes, gases, or dust. Additionally, it should be structurally designed to withstand the equipment load and located away from vibrations to prevent dislodgement. At the layout stage, the notice instructs developers to ensure that the placement of above- and below-ground utilities allows for unhindered movement and easy maintenance access. It advises laying empty pipes, such as large-diameter Hume or HDPE pipes, before tree planting to accommodate future infrastructure needs. Furthermore, telecom cables should ideally be placed beneath parking areas or service lanes to enable easier access without major disruption. The notice also requires developers to submit service plans for In-Building Solutions (IBS) infrastructure, certified by a telecom networking hardware consultant. These plans must clearly mark telecom utility infrastructure lines on layout drawings and specify the CTI’s design and implementation details. This move aligns with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s 2022 framework for integrating Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) into building plans, treating it as an essential utility on par with water, electricity, and fire safety systems. The UDD notice emphasises, “Occupancy/Building Completion certificates for a building will only be granted after ensuring that the Common Telecommunication Infrastructure is in place as per prescribed standards.”