120 Remote Villages in AP to Get Mobile Network

VIJAYAWADA: In a boost to rural connectivity and digital inclusion, as many as 120 hitherto unconnected villages across nine districts of Andhra Pradesh would soon receive mobile network coverage.

The villages selected for coverage are spread across the Anantapur, Chittoor, Eluru, Kakinada, Kurnool, Palnadu, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Sri Satya Sai and Srikakulam districts.

This is a part of the ongoing efforts at bridging the digital divide and ensuring inclusive development for the remotest habitations.

The decision by the telecommunications department, under the Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative, followed efforts by Union minister of state for communications and rural development, Pemmasani Chandra Shekhar.

The Central government would invest over `120 crore for the project, with an estimated spend of around `1 crore per village, to roll out robust 4G mobile services.

Chandra Shekhar said the project would open up new opportunities in education, healthcare, governance and livelihoods for the rural communities that have remained outside the ambit of digital connectivity. “No village will be left behind in our digital transformation journey,” he asserted.

The minister has issued clear, time-bound instructions to officials to identify suitable locations for mobile towers, expedite ground-level execution and complete the entire rollout within a year. The focus, he said, would be on quality infrastructure and timely delivery to ensure reliable mobile services in every identified village.

Describing the project as integral to the Centre’s Antyodaya vision, the minister said it reflected the commitment of the NDA government to inclusive growth.