Odisha to Install 707 New 4G Towers for Better Connectivity

707 New 4G Towers to Bridge Digital Divide in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken significant steps to enhance digital connectivity across the state by facilitating the installation of 4G mobile towers at 707 new locations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to bridge the digital divide in underserved regions.

In a directive issued by the electronics and information technology department, district collectors have been instructed to ensure the timely allotment of government land required for the project. The move follows a request from the Union Ministry of Communications, which is implementing the 4G saturation project under the Digital Bharat Nidhi scheme through Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).

The project aims to extend 4G services to remote areas, improving access to mobile connectivity and enabling a range of digital services. Additional Chief Secretary Vishal Kumar Dev has urged district collectors to expedite the issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) and allocate approximately 2,000 square feet of government land at each identified location.

Officials have stated that progress has already been made, with NOCs issued for 294 locations across various districts. The state government has called on the remaining districts to accelerate the process and address procedural bottlenecks to ensure adherence to project timelines.

The expansion of 4G services is expected to play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide by providing better access to e-governance services, online education, telemedicine, and digital payment systems in underserved regions.