THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW DELHI, MARCH 12, 2026
In a significant
boost to digital infrastructure in Odisha, Union Minister for Communications
and Development of North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, on Thursday
informed the Rajya Sabha that telecom operators have received substantial
financial support to expand mobile connectivity across the state’s rural and
remote regions.
In a written reply to
a question in the Upper House, the minister said that the Digital Bharat Nidhi
(DBN) is mandated to promote universal access to telecommunication services by
supporting connectivity in underserved rural, remote, and urban areas across
the country.
Providing details of
the nationwide initiative, Scindia informed that as of February 28, 2026, a
total of 34,780 mobile towers have been planned under 12 DBN-funded projects to
extend mobile connectivity to 46,331 villages located in underserved rural and
remote regions across India.
Odisha has emerged as
a key beneficiary under the programme, with 5,182 mobile towers planned to
connect 7,157 villages across the state. The initiative is expected to
significantly enhance digital access, improve communication infrastructure, and
support economic and social development in remote areas.
Highlighting the
focus on tribal and historically underserved regions, the Union Minister noted
that the plan includes 4,470 mobile towers in 13 districts of Odisha whose
areas are notified under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which covers
predominantly tribal regions requiring focused development interventions.
Scindia further informed the House that ₹2,229.35 crore has already been disbursed from the Digital Bharat Nidhi to telecom operators for providing mobile services in rural and remote areas of Odisha. Of this amount, ₹1,859.95 crore has been specifically allocated for districts notified under the Fifth Schedule, reflecting the government’s priority to strengthen digital connectivity in tribal and remote regions.
The initiative is expected to bridge the digital divide, enabling better access to digital services, education, healthcare, governance, and economic opportunities for millions of residents living in Odisha’s rural and tribal belts, while strengthening the state’s participation in India’s rapidly expanding digital economy.
