August 3, 2026 at 03:03 AM 2 min readtechNews Insights
Chhattisgarh Seeks 2305 New Mobile Towers to Boost Rural Connectivity
The proposal aims to bridge the digital divide in tribal areas by facilitating e-governance and remote healthcare access.
[Infrastructure Request]:
The state of Chhattisgarh has formally requested the central government to approve the installation of 2305 new mobile towers under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme. This initiative is aimed at providing network coverage to remote and tribal areas that currently lack basic mobile connectivity. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Singh Deo Sai and Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
[Digital Bharat Nidhi]:
The DBN, formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), is a government-maintained fund supported by contributions from Indian telecom operators. It is specifically designed to bridge the digital divide in underserved regions. By expanding the mobile network, the state government intends to facilitate better access to essential services, including e-governance, online banking, remote healthcare, and digital education, which are currently difficult to access in these isolated regions.
[Progress and Outlook]:
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude for the recent sanctioning of 577 additional mobile towers in Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected and underserved regions. The proposed 2305 new sites represent a significant expansion of this effort. If approved, this infrastructure project will be a major step toward integrating Chhattisgarh's remote populations into the national digital economy, ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation reach the most vulnerable and geographically isolated communities in the state.
Pulse Intelligence
Context & ImpactContext & Background
- The Digital Bharat Nidhi scheme is funded by contributions from telecom operators to improve rural connectivity.
- Chhattisgarh has been working with the central government to address connectivity gaps in tribal and LWE-affected areas.
- Mobile network expansion is a key pillar of the government's digital inclusion strategy.
Key Consequences
- Improved mobile connectivity will enable better delivery of government services in remote Chhattisgarh.
- Local economies in tribal areas may benefit from increased access to digital banking and e-commerce.
- The project will likely create local employment opportunities during the installation and maintenance phases.
Market & Economic Impact
Not applicable.
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