What is Call Before u Dig app?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched 'Call before u Dig' app, a tool to help prevent damage to underground assets.

This application will enhance the goal of the PM's vision of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under PM Gati Shakti national master plan. Gati Shakti National Master Plan is an approach that enables integrated and synchronised implementation of projects.

How this 'Call before u Dig' app Work?
Often, during infrastructure projects, underground utility assets get damaged and in the telecom sector alone about 1 million cable cuts happen causing a loss of about 400 million (Rs 3000 crore), every year. Therefore it was challenging for the government to come up with a solution to prevent damage to the nation's underground public infrastructure.

As per the vision of the Prime Minister, the department of telecommunication and BISAG-N has developed the unique mobile application.

The call before you dig mobile application will not only help to protect the 3.7 million route kilometres of the telecom sector's underground optical fibre cable infrastructure but also safeguard Water and Gas Pipelines, Electricity Cables, and Gas pipelines, electricity cables.

Reduction in damages to this infrastructure will also reduce inconvenience to the citizens. More than 25,000 underground asset owner offices have been registered in this app, so far, according to the government.

Because of the availability of contact information of all utility agencies in the app, excavators will be able to inform them at every stage of work.

Automated e-mails, SMSes, and in-app alerts will provide frequent updates to excavators and asset owners. It helps better coordination between the agencies that leads to planned excavation, ensuring the safety of underground assets thus benefitting all stakeholders through the ease of doing business, saving potential business losses, and minimizing discomfort to the citizens.

Also, there will be fewer disruptions in the road, telecom, water and gas electricity services.