On December 3, 2025, the Lok Sabha answered Unstarred Question No. 648 regarding poor connectivity in the tribal and hilly regions in Bastar Division, Chhattisgarh, asked by Shri Bhojraj Nag. The Minister of Communications stated that the government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi for the expansion of internet facilities through the installation of 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas under 4G saturation projects. The BharatNet project is also being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi Hotspots and Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis. The government has also launched the Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal and notified Telecommunication (Right of Way) rules to streamline permissions for the installation of telecommunication infrastructure, as well as periodic reviews with security dispensation and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to accelerate the installation of mobile towers and improve connectivity in the tribal and hilly regions of Bastar Division, Chhattisgarh. The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development answering the question was Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet: A project aimed at providing broadband connectivity, including Wi-Fi hotspots and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connections, to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A scheme utilized for the expansion of internet facilities through the installation of 4G mobile towers in rural and remote areas.
Telecommunication (Right of Way) rules: Rules designed to streamline permissions for the installation of telecommunication infrastructure.
Bastar Division, Chhattisgarh: The specific geographic region where improved connectivity is being addressed, focusing on tribal and hilly areas.
Ministry of Communications: The central ministry responsible for addressing the question regarding connectivity improvements.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 648
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
POOR CONNECTIVITY IN TRIBAL AND HILLY REGIONS IN BASTAR DIVISION,
CHHATTISGARH
†648. SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of steps taken to increase broadband connectivity in rural areas of the country;
and
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to accelerate the installation of mobile towers
to address the problem of poor connectivity in tribal and hilly regions of the Bastar division of
Chhattisgarh?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) & (b) Government is implementing various schemes under Digital Bharat Nidhi for
expansion of internet facilities through installation of 4G mobile towers in the rural and remote areas
of the country under 4G saturation projects. In addition, BharatNet project is being implemented in
a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home
(FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis.
Apart from that, Government has taken various steps like launch of Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal
and notification of Telecommunication (Right of Way) rules to streamline permissions for
installation of telecommunication infrastructure as well as periodic reviews with security
dispensation and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to accelerate the installation of mobile towers
and improve connectivity in the tribal and hilly regions of Bastar Division, Chhattisgarh.
*****
1