Bhubaneswar: Even in the digital era, as many as 764 gram panchayats in Odisha still lack internet and mobile communications services.
Replying to question of MLA Ramesh Chandra Behera in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, state E&IT Minister Mukesh Mahaling said that 764 gram panchayats in 176 blocks across the state lack internet and mobile communication services.
The Minister said that the state government has initiated a massive project to install 4277 new mobile towers across the state under Digital Bharat Nidhi Yojana. This endeavour aims to provide seamless internet and mobile services to all gram panchayats and villages.
The IT Minister further stated that 2085 mobile towers have been made functional to provide digital connectivity to a significant number of villages under the Aspirational and LWE-II and 4G Saturation scheme.
The government target to make another 2192 mobile towers operational by June this year, he added.