Cabinat approves installation of telecom towers in naxal-affected areas at cost of Rs 32.16 billion

Advanced Search

Feedback

Reader's Poll

Any data to show

Teledata

Mobile Subscribers Yearwise comparision

Cabinat approves installation of telecom towers in naxal-affected areas at cost of Rs 32.16 billion

August 21, 2014

Be the first to comment!

The Ministry of Communications and IT has stated that the Union cabinet has approved installation of 1,836 telecom towers in nine naxal-affected states at a cost of Rs 32.16 billion to improve the mobile connectivity in these areas. The project is being implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) while the subsidy is being provided through the Universal services Obligation (USO) Fund.

The government is pursuing the installation of these mobile towers to improve connectivity in the region which will in turn provide support to the security forces. The identified areas are in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.

Earlier in June 2013, the then Cabinet had approved the project cost of around Rs 30.46 billion. Installations at 2,199 locations were to be completed by June 2014 but its progress was halted due to difference in actual bids and project cost approved by then cabinet. BSNL had given a revised cost estimation of Rs 35.68 for the project, based on the contracts awarded through an open tendering process.