TNI Bureau: Raising concerns over poor digital infrastructure in Odisha’s tribal belt, Nabarangpur MP Balabhadra Majhi has brought the issue of weak mobile and internet connectivity in his constituency to the attention of Parliament under Rule 377.

In a submission to the Lok Sabha Secretariat on March 10, 2026, Majhi highlighted that the Nabarangpur Parliamentary Constituency—comprising the entire Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts along with the Kotpad Assembly segment of Koraput district, remains one of the most backward regions of the country despite various development initiatives.

The MP pointed out that mobile phone services and internet connectivity in the region have not kept pace with the growing demand. Internet services through the BharatNet initiative have reached only a limited number of villages, leaving many panchayats without reliable connectivity.

He alleged that poor-quality work executed earlier under the project has hindered the expansion of internet services, despite the programme being funded by the Central Government. Majhi urged authorities to rectify the incomplete and substandard infrastructure to ensure that rural communities benefit from the initiative.

The MP also stressed the urgent need for installing additional mobile towers in nearly 400 villages to strengthen telecommunications coverage in remote tribal areas.

Calling for immediate intervention, Majhi requested the government to examine the issue and take necessary steps to improve digital connectivity, which he said is vital for education, governance, healthcare and overall development in the region.