National and Sub-national Disaster Risk and Resilience Assessment and Roadmap for India’s Telecommunications Sector

India’s telecom sector, contributing ~15% to global GDP, is projected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2030. With over 1.2 billion subscribers, it faces high vulnerability to disasters, 58% of the land is earthquake-prone, 12% flood-prone.  

The report, led by CDRI, introduces a multi-hazard risk assessment and the Disaster Risk and Resilience Assessment Framework (DRRAF). It maps risks across geographies and infrastructure types, identifies systemic vulnerabilities, and proposes resilience strategies.  

Key recommendations span policy, technical design, operations, finance, and expertise. GIS-based mapping highlights exposure to floods, cyclones, landslides, and lightning. State-specific roadmaps for Assam, Odisha, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat guide disaster preparedness and recovery. The report emphasizes resilient infrastructure, stakeholder collaboration, and digital initiatives to ensure continuity and rapid restoration during disasters. 

Key points

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.