Parliament Question: Telecom connectivity in Puri

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 23 ANSWERED ON 29TH JANUARY, 2026 TELECOM CONNECTIVITY IN PURI 23 SHRI SUBHASISH KHUNTIA: Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state: (a) the present status of mobile and internet connectivity in Puri district, including rural and coastal areas; (b) the steps taken to strengthen network capacity during Rath Yatra and major festivals; (c) whether 5G services have been launched in that district; (d) the details of coordination mechanism with telecom operators for crowd management and emergency response; and (e) the plans to upgrade digital infrastructure in view of Puri’s religious tourism importance? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) to (e) As on 31.12.2025, of 1,702 villages in Puri district, 1,694 villages have mobile and internet connectivity, including rural and coastal areas. Further, 650 sites have been installed in Puri district for provision of 5G connectivity. Capacity and coverage augmentation is undertaken by all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) through deployment of additional sites, addition of trans-receivers (TRX) and installation of Cell on Wheels (COW), based on traffic demand and operational requirements in view of Puri’s religious tourism importance. For crowd management during Rath Yatra, traffic alert messages are disseminated in coordination with Odisha Police, Telecom Service Providers, Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the Special Relief Commissioner (Odisha) using the National Disaster Alert Portal for bulk SMS/voice call broadcasting and emergency response. ***** 1