Summary:
The Odisha government has directed telecom operators and broadband providers to prepare time-bound plans to address mobile and high-speed broadband coverage gaps, particularly in rural, unserved and border areas. The state is also accelerating Digital Bharat Nidhi-funded 4G projects, prioritising BSNL tower approvals, resolving road access issues and expediting the revised BharatNet programme, which must be completed within three years. Additionally, Odisha is eligible for over Rs 1.5 billion in central assistance under the SASCI initiative. Officials have been instructed to establish clear responsibilities, meet deadlines and strengthen coordination to improve connectivity and service quality across the state.
The Odisha government has instructed telecom operators and broadband providers to develop time-bound plans to eliminate gaps in mobile and high-capacity broadband coverage, with particular attention to unserved and border regions of the state.
Officials were also asked to investigate complaints submitted by Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly and district administrations about poor or unavailable mobile connectivity and implement appropriate solutions. The committee highlighted the importance of strengthening network signals and improving service quality, especially in rural communities.
The meeting examined ongoing projects funded through Digital Bharat Nidhi to achieve comprehensive 4G coverage and improve connectivity in aspirational districts. These initiatives are being carried out in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Electronics and Information Technology Department and district administrations.
Relevant agencies were directed to address road access problems affecting mobile tower locations by December 2026 and finish outstanding work within the stipulated deadlines. The state also called for expedited approval of land-related no-objection certificates for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to enable tower installations under categories 5 and 6, with pending applications to receive priority attention.
The committee further assessed Right of Way (RoW) reforms and the SASCI initiative, under which Odisha has qualified for central assistance exceeding Rs 1.5 billion. The state has also entered into a tripartite agreement with the DoT and BSNL for the revised BharatNet project. BSNL and its implementation partners have been instructed to speed up project execution and finish the work within the mutually agreed three-year period.
The committee underscored the need to establish specific responsibilities and deadlines to strengthen oversight and accountability. The Electronics and Information Technology Department was tasked with coordinating efforts among the DoT, BSNL and district administrations, while referring unresolved matters to senior authorities for further action.
