THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, OCTOBER 6, 2026

Odisha has directed telecom operators and broadband service providers to prepare a time-bound action plan to bridge mobile and high-capacity broadband connectivity gaps, particularly in uncovered and border areas of the state, officials said on Tuesday.

The direction was issued at the eighth meeting of the State Broadband Committee, chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Lok Seva Bhawan on Monday, as the state stepped up efforts to strengthen digital connectivity and address implementation bottlenecks.

Garg asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), cellular operators and broadband service providers to identify locations outside existing network coverage and ensure their connectivity within a stipulated timeframe.

She also directed authorities to examine complaints received from MPs, MLAs and district administrations regarding weak or absent mobile networks and take corrective measures. The committee stressed the need for stronger signal standards to improve mobile service quality, particularly in rural areas.

The meeting reviewed the progress of projects being implemented under the Digital Bharat Nidhi for 4G saturation, Aspirational Districts and areas affected by Left-Wing Extremism. The initiatives are being implemented in coordination with the DoT, Electronics and Information Technology Department and district administrations.

Concerned agencies were asked to resolve issues relating to direct road connectivity to mobile towers by December and complete the remaining works within the prescribed timelines.

The state also emphasised expediting land-related No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for BSNL to facilitate installation of mobile towers under Categories 5 and 6. Pending cases are to be taken up on priority through closer coordination between BSNL and district administrations.

The Chief Secretary appreciated the efforts of the Electronics and Information Technology Department, power distribution companies, urban local bodies and state public sector undertakings in implementing Right of Way (RoW) reforms and the "SASCI" initiative.

The initiatives have made Odisha eligible for central assistance of more than Rs 150 crore, officials said.

In another significant development, a tripartite agreement has already been signed between the DoT, BSNL and the Odisha government for the revised BharatNet project.

BSNL and its selected implementation partners have been asked to accelerate execution and complete the projects within the agreed three-year timeframe.

The committee also underlined the importance of assigning specific tasks, identifying responsible agencies and fixing deadlines to ensure regular monitoring and accountability.

The Electronics and Information Technology Department was directed to maintain regular coordination with the DoT, BSNL and district administrations and immediately escalate unresolved issues to higher authorities for expeditious resolution.

Additional Chief Secretary of the Electronics and IT Department Vishal Kumar Dev, secretaries of various concerned departments and representatives of telecom companies attended the meeting.

District Collectors from across Odisha joined the meeting virtually and apprised the committee of network conditions and connectivity requirements in their respective districts.