Bhubaneswar: Odisha will get 707 new 4G mobile towers under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative to strengthen connectivity in remote and underserved regions of the state, officials said.
The project aims to expand digital connectivity in rural areas and improve access to communication services in locations that currently face network challenges.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for implementing the Digital India Mission and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for facilitating the initiative in Odisha.
To expedite the project, Additional Chief Secretary of the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Vishal Kumar Dev, has written to the Collectors of 25 districts, requesting them to make the required land available and issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in favour of BSNL. Approximately 2,000 square feet of government land will be required at each location to install the towers.
According to official sources, NOCs have already been issued for 294 locations, enabling work to progress in those areas. District-level officials have been asked to take necessary steps to complete the process for the remaining sites at the earliest.
The 4G Saturation Project, being implemented with support from the Central government, is expected to improve digital inclusion in remote parts of Odisha by strengthening access to education, healthcare, e-governance, and other digital services.
Officials also highlighted progress under Phase III of the BharatNet project, under which the Central Government will invest nearly Rs 4,000 crore in Odisha to enhance high-speed internet connectivity in rural areas. The project is targeted for completion within the next three years.
Under the BharatNet expansion plan, optical fibre connectivity centres will be established at the block level and linked to panchayats through dedicated fibre networks. Connectivity will subsequently be extended from panchayats to individual households, strengthening digital infrastructure across rural Odisha.
