Indus to invest INR2.6bn in Punjab, Haryana expansion

Passive infrastructure firm Indus Towers has announced plans to invest INR2.6 billion (USD41.27 million) in the deployment of 1,000 new towers in Punjab and Haryana during the current fiscal year (ending 31 March 2016). The Economic Times quotes Indus Towers’ CEO as saying that INR1.8 billion will be spent in Punjab on the installation of 700 new sites, whilst a further INR800 million will be invested in Haryana for the rollout of 300 additional towers. The company, which is owned by mobile operators Bharti Airtel, Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, currently owns and operates 111,819 towers across 15 circles, including around 7,800 in Punjab and Haryana. ‘We are rigorously working towards providing seamless connectivity in the circles to empower local economy,’ the official noted, adding that teledensity in Punjab is currently more than 100%, whilst in Haryana it is around 75%-80%.