Over 2,600 rural Odisha settlements persistently experience mobile network deficiencies.
In a significant stride towards digital inclusion, the Government of India and the Odisha government have joined forces under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) initiative. The ambitious plan aims to extend mobile connectivity to every village in Odisha, addressing the gap in mobile network services that has long been a barrier to digital empowerment, education, e-governance, and financial transactions in rural areas.
As of June 2025, the DBN initiative has commissioned 3,113 mobile towers in Odisha, covering 4,491 villages to enhance telecom connectivity in rural, remote, and tribal areas. However, 1,921 villages in Odisha still lack mobile network connectivity under the scheme.
To bridge this digital divide and facilitate the socio-economic development of remote and underserved communities, the government has proposed the installation of an additional 4,210 mobile towers across Odisha. As of now, 2,572 of these towers are operational, with the remaining 1,638 expected to become functional by June 2025.
The successful completion of this project will mark a significant milestone in Odisha's journey toward technological empowerment and inclusive growth. It will ensure comprehensive mobile connectivity across the state, a goal that the Odisha government has set for itself.
The information about the lack of mobile network services in Odisha was disclosed by Information Technology (IT) minister Mukesh Mahaling. The absence of these services in as many as 2,603 villages has been a concern raised by Biju Janata Dal's MLA Ramesh Behera in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The plan is part of broader efforts under India's National Telecom Policy 2025, which aims to provide universal and meaningful rural connectivity by expanding network infrastructure and supporting last-mile connectivity. These efforts include targeting fixed-line broadband expansion and enabling small internet service providers, aiming to bridge the urban-rural digital divide by June 2025 and beyond.
The central government has disbursed ₹3,934 crore to Odisha under various DBN initiatives to improve digital infrastructure in the state. The government has intensified efforts to meet the June 2025 deadline for the completion of the project, ensuring that Odisha moves one step closer to achieving its goal of extending mobile connectivity to every village.
References: [1] The Hindu. (2022, August 23). Odisha: 1,921 villages still offline despite DBN initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha-1921-villages-still-offline-despite-dbn-initiatives/article65972730.ece
[2] The Economic Times. (2022, June 27). Govt to bridge urban-rural digital divide by June 2025: Telecom Secretary. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/telecom/govt-to-bridge-urban-rural-digital-divide-by-june-2025-telecom-secretary/articleshow/91098363.cms
[3] The New Indian Express. (2022, June 26). Centre disburses ₹3,934 crore to Odisha under DBN initiatives. Retrieved from https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2022/jun/26/centre-disburses-3934-crore-to-odisha-under-dbn-initiatives-2485579.html
- The government's proposed installation of 4,210 additional mobile towers in Odisha is a political move aimed at addressing the digital divide and facilitating socio-economic development in remote areas, as outlined in India's National Telecom Policy 2025.
- Despite the DBN initiative commissioning 3,113 mobile towers in Odisha and covering 4,491 villages, politics remains a barrier to digital empowerment in as many as 1,921 villages in Odisha that still lack mobile network connectivity.
