## Policy Summary: Mobile Connectivity in Remote Border Areas of Northeast India
**Subject:** Status of mobile network connectivity in remote border areas of the Northeast region of India.
**Context:** This document summarizes the response provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 635, answered on July 23, 2025, regarding mobile connectivity in remote border areas of the Northeast region.
**Key Findings:**
* **Coverage:** As of May 31, 2025, 4,696 out of 5,200 villages/habitations in the border areas of the Northeast region are covered with mobile connectivity.
* **State-wise Coverage:**
* Arunachal Pradesh: 1,165 out of 1,502 villages/habitations covered.
* Assam: All 1,237 villages/habitations covered.
* Manipur: 194 out of 263 villages/habitations covered.
* Meghalaya: 1,238 out of 1,272 villages/habitations covered.
* Mizoram: 365 out of 378 villages/habitations covered.
* Nagaland: 96 out of 135 villages/habitations covered.
* Sikkim: All 68 villages/habitations covered.
* Tripura: 333 out of 345 villages/habitations covered.
* **Government Initiatives:** The Government, through funding from the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is implementing schemes for expanding telecom connectivity by installing mobile towers in rural, remote, and border areas.
* **Sikkim:** As of June 2025, 11 sites have been commissioned in Sikkim under DBN-funded mobile schemes, providing mobile coverage to 13 villages, including border areas.
* **Budget Allocation:** During the last five financial years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25), Rs. 1775.53 crore has been allocated/disbursed under various Schemes of Digital Bharat Nidhi for strengthening mobile networks in remote areas of the North Eastern Region.
* **TSP Responsibility:** Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on techno-commercial viability.
**Answering Authority:** Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
Key Entities Referenced
Northeast Region: A region of India consisting of the states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
DR. INDRA HANG SUBBA: Member of Parliament who raised the question about mobile connectivity in remote border areas.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, who provided the answer to the question.
Indo-Nepal border in Sikkim: The international border between India and Nepal in the state of Sikkim, India.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A fund by the Government of India used for implementing schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity.
Arunachal Pradesh: A state in Northeast India.
Sikkim: A state in Northeast India.
Rs. 1775.53 crore: The total budget allocated and disbursed under various Schemes of Digital Bharat Nidhi for strengthening mobile network in remote areas of North Eastern Region during the last five years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 635
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
MOBILE CONNECTIVITY IN REMOTE BORDER AREAS IN THE NORTHEAST
REGION
635. DR. INDRA HANG SUBBA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details and the number of border villages/areas in Northeast region that do not have
mobile network connectivity;
(b) the details of the total budget allocated during the last five years for strengthening mobile
network in remote border villages/areas of Northeast region;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to strengthen mobile networks along Indo-Nepal
border in Sikkim;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (e) Out of 5,200 villages/habitations in the border areas of Northeast region, 4,696
villages/habitations are covered with mobile connectivity. The State wise details of mobile coverage
in border villages of Northeast region is at Annexure.
Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by the Telecom Service
Providers (TSPs) based on the techno-commercial viability. Government, through funding from
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is implementing various schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity
through installation of mobile towers in the rural, remote and border areas of the country. As on June
2025, 11 sites have been commissioned in Sikkim under DBN funded mobile schemes, providing
mobile coverage to 13 villages, including border areas.
During the last five years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25), Rs. 1775.53 crore have been
allocated/ disbursed under various Schemes of Digital Bharat Nidhi for strengthening mobile
network in remote areas of North Eastern Region.
1Annexure
Annexure referred to in reply of part (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 635 to be
answered on 23rd July, 2025 raised by Hon’ble Member of Parliament regarding “Mobile
Connectivity in Remote Border Areas in the Northeast Region”
State wise details of mobile coverage in border villages / habitations of Northeast region as on
31.05.2025:
Villages / Habitations
S. No. State Total Villages/Habitations
having mobile coverage
1 Arunachal Pradesh 1502 1165
2 Assam 1237 1237
3 Manipur 263 194
4 Meghalaya 1272 1238
5 Mizoram 378 365
6 Nagaland 135 96
7 Sikkim 68 68
8 Tripura 345 333
Total 5200 4696
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