Odisha seeks funds for telecom connectivity in Naxal-hit regions

The state has identified 253 sites for installation of telecom towers in such districts

The Odisha government has sought funds from the central government for telecom connectivity in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

“A sizeable geographic area in the districts affected by left wing extremism remains to be connected through telecom and telephony network. The state government has identified 253 sites for installation of telecom towers in such districts”, the state government stated in its pre-Budget memorandum.

The state had earlier submitted a proposal to the Union ministry of communications for undertaking the above work.

“It may also be considered to access the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for provision of rural community phones, household telephones and mobile services in rural and remote areas. Besides steps should be taken for creation of general infrastructure in rural and remote areas for development of telecommunication facilities as envisaged under the Universal Service Support Policy”, the memorandum said. It may be noted that the erstwhile UPA government has drawn up a plan to establish 2,199 mobile towers in nine Naxal-affected states to give operational advantage to security forces while dealing with the menace of LWE.

Of the 2,199 towers, 782 will come up in Jharkhand, 497 in Chhattisgarh, 253 in Odisha, 227 in Andhra Pradesh, 184 in Bihar, 96 in West Bengal, 78 in Uttar Pradesh, 60 in Maharashtra and 22 in Madhya Pradesh. Central armed police forces as well as state police have been demanding setting up of mobile towers to help them in carrying out operations against the Naxals more effectively. The state government has also pitched for a separate scheme by the Union ministry of power to strengthen the existing power infrastructure along the coast line within a distance of 50-60 km.

Since Odisha is a disaster prone state, its coastline is very vulnerable to wind storms and cyclones.