**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the installation of new telecom towers in Tamil Nadu. As of July 23, 2025, 256 telecom towers have been installed under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), formerly Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), 4G Saturation Scheme in Tamil Nadu. Details regarding year-wise and district-wise installations, as well as a list of 5 uncovered villages, can be found on the DBN website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home). The DBN plays a role in expanding mobile and internet services in Tamil Nadu through projects like BharatNet and the 4G Saturation Scheme; specific details on Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages connected under these initiatives are available on the DBN website. Over the past five fiscal years (2020-21 to 2024-25), ₹1,610.11 crore has been utilized under various DBN-funded schemes in Tamil Nadu. Further information about districts and villages that have benefited from these projects can be accessed on the DBN website. The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, provided the answers.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI C N ANNADURAI: Member of Parliament who raised a question in Lok Sabha regarding telecom towers in Tamil Nadu.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
Tamil Nadu: A state in southern India, the location of the telecom tower installations and mobile service expansion projects discussed in the policy document.
USOF: Universal Service Obligation Fund, a Government fund, now Digital Bharat Nidhi, used for expanding mobile and internet services, particularly in rural areas.
BharatNet: A Government of India initiative to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats.
4G Saturation Scheme: A Government scheme aimed at providing 4G mobile connectivity, particularly in uncovered villages.
Digital Bharat Nidhi DBN: Formerly Universal Service Obligation Fund USOF website, a resource for information on telecom tower installations and connectivity projects.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question regarding telecom towers was raised.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 515
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
NEW TELECOM TOWERS IN TAMIL NADU
515. SHRI C N ANNADURAI:
SHRI SELVAM G:
SHRI NAVASKANI K:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of villages in Tamil Nadu where new telecom towers have been installed during
the last five years, year and district-wise;
(b) the number of towers installed under Government schemes such as USOF, BharatNet, or 4G
Saturation Scheme in Tamil Nadu;
(c) whether any villages in Tamil Nadu, particularly in hilly, forested, or tribal areas, still remain
without mobile network coverage, if so, the number and names of such uncovered villages as per the
latest Government survey and the timeline for providing connectivity to these villages;
(d) the role of Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) in expanding mobile and internet
services in Tamil Nadu;
(e) the total amount sanctioned and utilised under USOF projects in the State during the last five
years; and
(f) the details of the districts and villages that have benefited from these projects?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) The Year wise and District wise details of villages in Tamil Nadu where new telecom
towers have been installed in the last five years are available on Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)
[erstwhile Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)] website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home). Total
256 number of towers for provisioning of mobile services have been installed under the DBN funded
4G Saturation Scheme in Tamil Nadu. The details of 5 villages that do not have mobile coverage in
Tamil Nadu is available on DBN website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
(d) Number of Gram Panchayats (GPs) connected under BharatNet project and number of
villages connected under 4G Saturation Scheme in Tamil Nadu are available on DBN website
(https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
(e) Rs. 1,610.11 crore have been utilized under various schemes funded through DBN during last
five years (FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25) for the State of Tamil Nadu.
(f) Details of the district and villages beneficiated from DBN projects are available on Digital
Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
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