India suffers whopping Rs. 3000 cr digging damage bill; govt turns to app

Call Before u Dig (CBuD) app has been launched for preventing damage to underlying assets like optical fiber cables. Know how it works.

Here is all you need to know about the Call Before u Dig (CBuD) app. (Google Play Store)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday launched the ‘Call Before u Dig' App saying that it will reduce instances of unnecessary digging and damage. "Exemplifying the Prime Minister's vision of integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity projects under PM Gati Shakti, the Call Before u Dig (CBuD) app is a tool envisaged for preventing damage to underlying assets like optical fiber cables, that occurs because of uncoordinated digging and excavation, leading to loss of about ₹3000 crore every year to the country," Prime Minister's Office said in a release.

Here is all you need to know about the Call before u Dig App

The mobile application CBuD has been developed by the department of telecommunications and the Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geoinformatics functioning under the Gujarat government.

The app will connect excavators and asset owners through SMS/Email notifications and click to call so that there are planned excavations in the country while ensuring the safety of underground assets.

CBuD will also benefit all stakeholders by improving the ease of doing business. It will save potential business loss and minimize discomfort to the citizens due to reduced disruption in essential services like road, telecom, water, gas and electricity.

Under the initiative, over 25000 underground asset owner offices have been registered in the app till now, the government said, according to a report by Hindustan Times. The availability of information of the utility agencies at a single place will allow excavators to keep them in loop at all the stages of project's development, it added.

To help the excavators and asset owners to ensure a planned coordination to carry out any digging activity, the emails and messages will be automated for quick alerts and timely updates.

"Call Before u Dig Mobile App will provide an interface to digging agencies to enquire about the availability of existing underground utility assets and to inform to utility asset owners about upcoming digging activities , so that both can coordinate to save existing underlying utility assets from damage," the information available on Google Play Store about the app read.