TNI Bureau: Odisha has accelerated efforts to expand 4G connectivity in remote areas, directing district administrations to speed up land allotment for 707 mobile towers under the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)-funded BSNL 4G Saturation Project.

The Electronics and Information Technology Department has asked Collectors of 24 districts to provide No Objection Certificates and arrange about 2,000 sq. ft. of government land at each site. Out of 894 sanctioned towers, 707 are still pending due to land issues, while 3,602 towers have already been commissioned and work is underway on 683 more. Sites are spread across districts including Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj and Sundargarh.

Officials said the project aims to improve digital connectivity in rural and tribal areas, enabling better access to online education, telemedicine, e-governance, digital banking and emergency services.