THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 18, 2026

In a landmark move to bridge the digital divide and ensure connectivity reaches every corner of the state, the Odisha government has launched an ambitious initiative to install 4G mobile towers at 707 new locations, with a special focus on remote, tribal and underserved rural areas.

The massive connectivity expansion, being implemented under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is expected to bring thousands of villages into the digital mainstream, enabling residents to access critical services such as online education, telemedicine, e-governance platforms, digital banking and e-commerce opportunities.

The project marks a significant step towards strengthening Odisha’s digital infrastructure and ensuring that people living in difficult terrains and far-flung regions are not left behind in the country’s digital transformation journey. Officials said the initiative would provide a new impetus to digital inclusion by improving communication networks and opening up fresh avenues for socio-economic development.

To accelerate implementation, Additional Chief Secretary of the Electronics and Information Technology Department, Vishal Kumar Dev, has written to Collectors of 25 districts, urging them to expedite the allotment of government land and issue No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to BSNL for tower installation. Approximately 2,000 square feet of land is required for each tower site.

The project has already gained momentum, with NOCs granted for 294 locations and construction activities progressing rapidly. Authorities are optimistic that the remaining approvals will be completed soon to ensure timely rollout of mobile services in identified areas.

The initiative has received strong support from Odisha’s IT and Electronics Minister, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, who hailed the project as a major milestone in expanding digital access across the state. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the vision of Digital India and acknowledged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s efforts in taking technology and connectivity to the last mile.

Officials noted that the 4G saturation project will significantly improve network coverage in challenging geographical regions, enhance communication facilities and empower citizens through greater access to digital services.

The tower expansion drive is being complemented by the BharatNet Phase-III programme, under which the Central Government will invest nearly ₹4,000 crore in rural Odisha over the next three years. The project aims to provide high-speed optical fibre connectivity from block headquarters to gram panchayats and eventually to individual households, creating a robust digital backbone for rural communities.