Cabinet approves provision of mobile connectivity in Left Wing Extremism Areas

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the "Universal Service Obligation Fund [USOF]" supported scheme to provide mobile services at 4072 tower locations identified by MHA in inhabited uncovered areas affected by Left Wing Extremism [LWE] of 96 districts in 10 States for Phase-ll project. The total project cost would be Rs.7,330 Crore.

This network would be used by the security personnel deployed in LWE affected areas. Project will also provide the mobile services to help the residents in unconnected inhabited villages which would improve the economic activities in the region. It will give impetus to the e-Governance activities in the backward and LWE affected area with the availability of digital mobile connectivity.

The numbers of Tower locations proposed in the 10 States are as follows:

S.No. States Districts Number of Tower locations1

Andhra Pradesh

8 4292

Bihar

8 4123

Chhattisgarh

16 10284

Jharkhand

21 10545

Madhya Pradesh

1 266

Maharashtra

2 1367

Odisha

18 4838

Telengana

14 1189

Uttar Pradesh

3 17910

West bengal

5 207Total

10 states

96 4072

Background:

A. LWE Phase I project

The LWE phase-l project for providing the mobile services using 2G technology in LWE Areas with a total sanctioned cost of Rs, 4080.78 Cr is on completion. Total 2335 sites are radiating out of total 2355 as on date.

B. LWE-Phase-II project

MHA in consultation with the concerned states has identified 4072 tower locations for the communication need of the security personnels deployed in 96 districts of 10 states and provided to DoT on 27thOctober, 2017. Technology proposed in the Phase-ll project has been upgraded according to the requirement of Stakeholders. Now 2G and 4G technology is being deployed in this project for providing the mobile connectivity.

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