GANGTOK: Responding to a Lok Sabha question raised by Member of Parliament Indra Hang Subba, the Ministry of Communications has provided a detailed update on the status of mobile network coverage in remote and border areas of the Northeast region.
As per the official reply, out of 5,200 villages/habitations located in the border areas of the Northeast, 4,696 villages have already been provided with mobile network connectivity. This marks a significant achievement in bridging the digital divide in these strategically important and often inaccessible regions.
In the state of Sikkim, all 68 identified border villages now have mobile coverage. Furthermore, 11 mobile sites have been commissioned under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme, enabling connectivity in 13 villages, including those in border areas.
To boost telecom infrastructure in the Northeast, the Government has allocated and disbursed a total of Rs 1775.53 crore over the last five financial years (2020-21 to 2024-25) under various DBN-funded schemes. These schemes are aimed at installing mobile towers and expanding network coverage in rural, remote, and border areas where private Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) may not find it commercially viable to operate.
Indra Hang Subba welcomed the update and reiterated the importance of robust digital infrastructure in border states like Sikkim. “Mobile connectivity is not only essential for communication but is also crucial for development, governance, education, and national security. I will continue to pursue complete coverage and digital empowerment for every village in our region,” he stated.
- SA Report
