Telcos role crucial in handling disaster: Pilot

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Minister of State for Communication and Technology Sachin Pilot on Wednesday called for cooperation from the private telecom sector in disaster management preparedness.

"We want the private sector to partner in preparing for disasters," Pilot told reporters here.

He was speaking after releasing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines for information and communication systems during disasters. NDMA vice-chairman M. Shashidhar Reddy was also present.

"Government has huge investments in information and technology, but private sector has a role as well," he said.

Pilot emphasized that the government's Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was functional after the recent Sikkim earthquake, while private telecom connections got snapped.

He added that ultimately it was the state government's responsibility to implement the guidelines.