Lack of mobile connectivity too expensive in Naxal-hit states

Lack of mobile connectivity in Naxal-hit areas today proved costly again as 16 lives were lost after security personnel were unable to call for help from nearby CRPF camps following an ambush by Maoists in Chhattisgarh.

Despite having received a nod from the Union Cabinet for setting up connectivity in the far flung areas at a cost of Rs 3000 crore, Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), one of the units of Department of Telecom (DOT), has been sitting on the project for over a year.

Even recent interventions by the Prime Minister's office failed to fast track the project which was termed as the most important step post-Dantewada massacre of 76 CRPF personnel in 2010.

Today as soon as news about another big attack started reaching the government corridors here, the files were dug out again from the cold storage, officials said.

Ministry of Home Affairs officials complained that the DoT had been sitting on the project thereby compromising security.

During a meeting, according to sources, Home Ministry officials apprised the government about continuous delay of the telecom project for last four years and stressed on the need for faster connectivity of areas like Jeeram Valley, where today's attack has taken place.

The proposal for setting up over 2,200 telecom towers in nine Naxal-affected states, forming what is described as the 'Red Corridor', received the Union cabinet's nod on June 4 last. But the decision on the selection of the roll-out is not getting finalised.

The Union Cabinet cleared the project for the nine states after its need was felt more strongly in the wake of the Naxal attack in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh that wiped out the top Congress leadership of the state.