New Delhi: Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that the Central government is supporting telecom operators to expand mobile connectivity in rural and remote parts of Odisha.
In a written reply in the House, the minister said the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) promotes universal access to telecommunications by supporting services in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas across the country.
As of February 28, 2026, a total of 34,780 mobile towers have been planned under 12 DBN-funded projects to provide connectivity to 46,331 villages in underserved rural and remote areas nationwide, according to an official statement.
Out of these, 5,182 mobile towers have been planned for Odisha to connect 7,157 villages, the minister added.
Scindia further stated that the plan includes 4,470 mobile towers across 13 districts of the state whose areas are notified under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which covers regions with significant tribal populations.
The minister also informed the House that, as of February 28, 2026, the government has disbursed Rs 2,229.35 crore from the DBN to telecom operators to expand mobile services in rural and remote areas of Odisha.
Out of this amount, Rs 1,859.95 crore has been allocated for districts notified under the Fifth Schedule to strengthen connectivity in these regions.
