**Executive Summary**
This document presents the response to Unstarred Question No. 481 in Lok Sabha on December 3, 2025, concerning mobile network connectivity in Bargarh and Jharsuguda districts, Odisha. It provides information on the status of mobile coverage, proposals for new towers, and government initiatives to improve connectivity. The response includes data as of October 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Mobile Coverage Status (as of October 2025):**
* Out of 1,549 villages in Bargarh and Jharsuguda, 1,545 have mobile connectivity.
* 1,528 villages have 4G mobile connectivity.
* **Provision of Mobile Coverage:**
* Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) provide coverage for uncovered inhabited villages based on techno-commercial viability.
* The government uses funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to implement schemes for expanding telecom connectivity through 4G tower installation.
* **Installation of Mobile Towers:**
* The Department examines requests for mobile tower installation in uncovered villages, following extant procedures.
* Eligible locations are progressively considered under DBN schemes for 4G coverage.
* 9 towers in Bargarh and 3 towers in Jharsuguda have been commissioned under DBN funded 4G mobile schemes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Villagers in Bargarh and Jharsuguda Districts**
* **Impact:** Improved mobile network connectivity for communication, education, health services, and emergency response.
* **Action Required:** None specified, but potential benefits from increased connectivity should be realized.
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
* **Impact:** Opportunities to expand coverage and provide services in uncovered areas, subject to techno-commercial viability.
* **Action Required:** Continue to evaluate and respond to opportunities for network expansion in the region.
**Government (Ministry of Communications and Department of Telecommunications)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing schemes and examining requests for mobile tower installation to improve connectivity in rural areas.
* **Action Required:** Continue to examine requests for mobile tower installations and fund eligible locations under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): A fund used by the Government to support schemes for the expansion of telecom connectivity.
Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF): Mentioned in the context of schemes related to the installation of mobile towers.
Bargarh and Jharsuguda: Districts in Odisha where mobile network connectivity is being discussed.
Department of Telecommunications: The department responsible for handling the matter of mobile connectivity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 481
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
MOBILE NETWORK CONNECTIVITY IN BARGARH AND JHARSUGUDA, ODISHA
481. SHRI PRADEEP PUROHIT:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that several areas in the districts of Bargarh and Jharsuguda in
Odisha continue to face poor mobile network connectivity, affecting communication, education, health
services and emergency response systems and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has received any proposals from the BSNL or telecom service providers for
approval of new mobile towers in uncovered and weak-signal locations in these districts and if so, the details
thereof;
(c) the details of the number of mobile towers approved, installed and proposed in these districts during
the last three years, district-wise and scheme-wise (including USOF schemes);
(d) whether the Government proposes to set up additional mobile towers under 4G Saturation Project,
BharatNet, or any other central schemes to ensure 100% mobile coverage in these districts and if so, the
details thereof; and
(e) the timeframe by which the Government aims to resolve network gaps and ensure reliable telecom
connectivity in all rural and remote villages of said districts?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (e) As of October 2025, out of 1,549 villages (as per data of Registrar General of India) in
Bargarh and Jharsuguda district in Odisha, 1,545 villages are covered with mobile connectivity and 1,528
villages are covered with 4G mobile connectivity.
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 4G
mobile towers in the rural and remote areas of the country.
The Department examines requests received from various quarters for the installation of mobile
towers in uncovered villages in accordance with the extant procedures. Eligible locations are progressively
considered for inclusion under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) schemes for 4G coverage from time to time.
A total of 9 towers in Bargarh and 3 towers in Jharsuguda district have been commissioned under
various Digital Bharat Nidhi funded 4G mobile schemes.
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