1,237 Odisha Villages Still Without Mobile Network

Bhubaneswar: As many as 1,237 villages in Odisha still lack access to mobile and network services, accounting for around 2.4% of the state’s total villages, Electronics & IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed the State Assembly on Monday.

Replying to a question from Congress leader and Lakshmipur MLA Pabitra Saunta, the minister said that out of 51,172 villages across the state, connectivity has not yet reached these remote areas. However, the state government has set a target to provide mobile and network services to all such villages by June 2026.

Mahaling said the expansion of connectivity is being carried out under the Government of India’s Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme, which was earlier known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

According to the minister, 3,281 mobile towers out of the planned 4,225 have already been made operational in Odisha under the scheme. The remaining 944 towers are expected to become functional by July 2026, further strengthening telecom infrastructure in rural and remote areas.

Focusing on Koraput district, Mahaling informed the House that 286 towers have been installed by Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIO) and 21 by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) over the past five years under the DBN scheme. All these towers are currently operational.

He added that work is underway to install 76 additional towers in Koraput to extend connectivity to the remaining 88 unserved villages in the district. The project is expected to be completed by June 2026.

The minister emphasised that the initiative forms part of the government’s broader efforts to promote digital inclusion and bridge the connectivity gap in rural and remote parts of Odisha.