**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Ministry of Communication's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 644, answered on July 23, 2025, regarding delays and implementation gaps in 4G mobile connectivity projects under the Aspirational Districts Scheme.
The response acknowledges ongoing delays in the execution of these projects across nine identified states, including Bihar and Rajasthan. Specific reasons cited for these delays include difficulties in acquiring revenue land, obtaining necessary permissions (forest/wildlife, right-of-way) from state authorities, and addressing security, accessibility, and other local issues. It is noted that Saran district in Bihar was not planned for coverage under the Aspirational Districts Scheme.
To mitigate future delays, the government is utilizing the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGSNMP) for tower planning in the 4G Saturation scheme.
The Ministry confirms that penal provisions, such as Liquidated Damages (LD) and Downtime Penalties, are being invoked against implementing agencies for failing to meet critical milestones, in accordance with existing agreements.
Detailed state-wise information on planned and covered villages/towers under the Aspirational Districts Scheme is available on the Digital Bharat Nidhi website: https://usof.gov.in/en/home.
Key Entities Referenced
Aspirational Districts Scheme: A government initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic status of underdeveloped districts in India.
4G mobile connectivity projects: Projects focused on providing 4G mobile network access in specific areas, particularly under the Aspirational Districts Scheme.
Bihar: A state in India where delays in the implementation of 4G mobile connectivity projects under the Aspirational Districts Scheme are being examined.
Rajasthan: A state in India where delays in the implementation of 4G mobile connectivity projects under the Aspirational Districts Scheme are being examined.
Saran, Bihar: A district in Bihar, specifically mentioned in the context of mobile coverage under the Aspirational Districts Scheme.
SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY: A member of the Lok Sabha who raised questions regarding delays in the Aspirational Districts Scheme mobile connectivity projects.
PM GatiShakti National Master Plan: A national plan used for planning of towers in the 4G Saturation scheme.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: Website that contains state wise villages/towers planned for mobile coverage and covered under Aspirational Districts schemes for 9 states
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 644
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
DELAYS AND IMPLEMENTATION GAPS IN ASPIRATIONAL DISTRICTS SCHEME
MOBILE CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS
644. SHRI RAJIV PRATAP RUDY:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there are considerable delays in the execution of 4G mobile
connectivity projects under the Aspirational Districts Scheme, especially in Bihar and Rajasthan,
where significant gaps persist despite the project being initiated in 2021 and if so, the details of
coverage status in Bihar and Rajasthan, district-wise including Saran in Bihar;
(b) the details of the reasons for the delay in completing mobile service infrastructure in the
targeted villages across the nine identified States, Phase and State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has considered using advanced geospatial mapping systems and
contingency planning mechanisms to prevent future delays due to logistical or geographical hurdles,
if so, the details thereof;
(d) the time proposed for achieving full coverage in the remaining villages; and
(e) whether any accountability mechanism or penal provisions have been invoked against the
implementing agencies for missing critical milestones in Bihar and other affected States?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a)& (b) The implementation work for provision of 4G mobile services in the Aspirational
Districts schemes are under progress including in Bihar and Rajasthan State. No village in the Saran
district of Bihar has been planned under the Aspirational Districts schemes.
State wise villages/Towers planned for mobile coverage and covered under Aspirational Districts
schemes for 9 states is available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website https://usof.gov.in/en/home.
Some of the sites under Aspirational Districts schemes got delayed due to delay in getting revenue
land, forest/wildlife permission & right of way permission from states. Further, some sites also got
delayed due to security, accessibility and other local issues.
(c) Yes, the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) is being used for planning of
towers in the 4G Saturation scheme.
(d) & (e) Yes, the penal provisions such as Liquidated Damages (LD), Downtime Penalty etc.
are invoked against the implementing agencies as per extant agreement.
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