Sea change in mobile connectivity in Rayagada, digital divide shrinking
Dr.Badal Tah,
Associate editor, Odishabarta
Rayagada, February 5: As per information provided on December 2, 2019 by Saptagiri Ulaka, MP, Koraput Parliamentary Constituency, 69 Gram Panchayats(GP) of Rayagada district did not have cellophane connectivity. If there are 12 to 15 villages in a GP on an average, there was no telephone network in 800 to 1000 villages. He requested the then Ministry of Telecommunications to have a comprehensive telecom development plan for mobile connectivity in Rayagada, one of the most backward district with lowest tele density. He also requested the Ministry to direct the BSNL to erect mobile towers with 4G connectivity in those GPs.
After almost six years the district has witnessed sea change. In its written reply to Parliament Question raised by Ulaka, the Ministry of Communications has officially admitted that 149 villages out of 2,671 in Rayagada district remain without mobile connectivity as on 31 December 2025. While during the year 2019, the connectivity coverage was around 65%, in the fag end of 2025, this has drastically increased to 95%.
The details reveal that the uncovered villages are concentrated mainly in Kashipur Block, ie, 79 followed by Muniguda which is 27. The third is Sadar Rayagada Block having 14 villages with no network. Muniguda block is included in aspirational block apart from Padmapur block. It is hoped that saturation of schemes will include access to mobile network also. However, the mobile connectivity boom has led to structural advantages in access to education, healthcare, markets and governance in tribal, hilly and forest-fringe blocks of Rayagada, especially for PVTGs of Niyamagiri hill range.
The Minister of State for Communication & Rural Development has responded to the question raised by Ulaka.
As per the response dated 4th February, 2026, Government through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) has undertaken several schemes to provide 4G mobile services to the uncovered villages across the country, including the villages in Rayagada. Under DBN schemes, after physical survey undertaken by the implementing agencies, out of 700 towers planned, 546 towers have been made on air in Rayagada district as on 31.12.2025.
Execution of some sites has faced delays due to factors such as unavailability of road access, delay in land allotment, forest, wildlife and right of way permission, etc.
The-villages-found to
have mobile connectivity during survey have been descoped from the DBN schmes. Penal action has and taken against the implementing agencies for delays in execution of the schemes as per the terms and condition of the Agreement. 5G mobile services are rolled out by the telecom service providers themselves on techno commercial consideration. Yes, the digital divide is shrinking in the countryside. Nevertheless, time-bound completion roadmap is need of the hour.
