254 Mobile Towers, 336 Villages: How Centre And State Governments Plan To Improve Connectivity In Arunachal

Aiming at providing uninterrupted Telecom connectivity to 336 villages in Arunachal Pradesh, 254 4G towers were dedicated to the nation on 22 April.

Constructed under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), the towers will cover 336 villages and benefit thousands of residents in Arunachal Pradesh.

The beneficiaries shall be able to access high-speed network connectivity which will ensure various digital services in sectors like education, health, e-commerce, and agriculture leading to socio-economic development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response to people’s reaction to development of Arunachal Pradesh, said, “The people of Arunachal Pradesh are exceptional. They are unwavering in their spirit of patriotism. It’s an honour to work for this great state and help it realise it’s true potential.”

A joint effort by both the Centre and the state government, 254 mobile towers were dedicated to the nation in the presence of Union Minister for Communications and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw; Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu among others.

Over 1,310 Gram Panchayats have been connected with optical fibre under Bharat Net scheme and over 1,156 more Towers have been planned to bring digital inclusion. The 5G services have been recently launched in Itanagar and shall be extended to other areas.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Arunachal Pradesh said that in the past eight years, Government of India’s efforts have brought great connectivity for railways, road and telecommunications.

Devusinh Chauhan, Union Minister of State for Communications appreciated efforts to bring connectivity overcoming all challenges and also mentioned about creation of a national postal hub in Itanagar and various initiatives for bringing postal connectivity in the state.

Khandu said that since 2014, there has been infrastructural change in Arunachal Pradesh and has resulted in transformation. Digital inclusion has helped in removing corruption and e-governance.

Rijiju emphasized on Whole of Government Approach which requires joint efforts of Central and State government officers for implementation of all projects.  For the remaining 1,156 4G  towers planned  under USOF, locations have already been identified.

As part of another scheme, 4G saturation, 2,424 4G site sites are to be installed, which includes 270  sites through OFC, 1,237 sites through microwave and 917 through VSAT to bring more connectivity.

Ashwini Vaishnaw in his address informed that installation of these towers in difficult terrain, practical difficulties is clear example of Sabka Prayas.

He added, importance of communications open doors and opportunities for all. He also mentioned how difficult it was to impart benefits to beneficiaries in other countries during Covid times, however, in India with the effective utilization of UPI, Aadhar, Telecom Network Infrastructure disbursement and all other services were managed digitally and on a click of a button.

He emphasized on  overcoming challenges of difficult terrain by quoting an example of installation of a tower in Tawang which is at a height of 12,600 ft. He concluded by thanking defence forces, district administration, service providers, different agencies of central and state government officials for achieving this feat.