Bhubaneswar, July 23 (UDN): Nearly 399 villages across Odisha’s tribal districts of Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur and Rayagada are yet to receive 4G mobile connectivity despite ongoing efforts to expand digital infrastructure in remote and underserved regions, the Centre informed Parliament on Wednesday.

 Representational Image

Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha by Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said the government is implementing multiple connectivity projects under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to bridge the digital divide in the state’s Scheduled Areas.

According to the minister, the projects are aimed at extending 4G mobile services to uncovered villages, enabling better access to digital communication, education, healthcare, banking, and government welfare schemes in tribal and difficult-to-reach regions.

Over 1,200 Mobile Towers Already Operational

Data presented in the Lok Sabha shows that the four districts together have 6,634 villages, of which 399 villages remain outside the 4G network.

To improve connectivity, the Centre has approved the installation of 1,701 mobile towers across the four districts. As of June 30, 2026, 1,257 towers had been commissioned and made operational.

District-wise Connectivity Status

• Koraput: Of the district’s 2,047 villages, 116 villages are still without 4G coverage. Out of 510 sanctioned towers, 395 have been commissioned.
• Malkangiri: The district has 1,036 villages, with 116 villages yet to receive 4G services. Of the 334 approved towers, 225 are operational.
• Nabarangpur: The district has achieved the highest level of coverage among the four, with only 11 of its 880 villages still lacking 4G connectivity. A total of 46 out of 64 sanctioned towers have been commissioned.
• Rayagada: The district continues to have the largest connectivity gap, with 156 villages yet to be covered. Of the 793 approved mobile towers, 591 have become operational.

Infrastructure Challenges Delay Rollout

The Union Minister told the House that the expansion of mobile connectivity has encountered several implementation challenges, including inadequate road access to remote locations, delays in land allotment, pending forest and wildlife clearances, and difficulties in securing Right of Way (RoW) permissions for tower installation.

Despite these hurdles, the Department of Telecommunications is continuing to accelerate the rollout of infrastructure with the objective of achieving universal 4G coverage across Odisha’s tribal and Scheduled Areas.

The Centre reiterated its commitment to improving digital connectivity in remote regions, describing mobile network expansion as a key step toward ensuring inclusive access to public services and digital opportunities.