BSNL has commenced the deployment of towers to extend coverage to the habitats of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and tourist spots in Tripura, areas still devoid of mobile network access.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today NE, an official from BSNL in Tripura, who preferred not to be named, disclosed that BSNL has set targets to extend mobile network coverage to rural hamlets, including tourist spots, under the PM Janman scheme.
“We’ve laid the groundwork for installing mobile towers in about 75 locations, with towers already up in approximately 50 locations. Additional equipment is currently in transit. We anticipate the arrival of the equipment by the end of May, at which point we’ll commence our operations,” the official stated.
Furthermore, the official disclosed that BSNL intends to install mobile towers in roughly 125 locations throughout Tripura.
“Conducting surveys presented challenges primarily due to signal limitations and other logistical issues. Our focus extends to installing towers in PVTG habitats, where surveys are presently ongoing. Moreover, we are actively securing permissions for installations in tourist destinations such as Chabimura and other areas. While permissions from some school authorities have been secured, others are pending, influenced by factors like forest cover,” he elaborated.
According to a letter, around 10 PVTG habitats have already been covered, while tourist spots like Chabimura and Tirthamukh in the Gomati District, previously devoid of network coverage, have completed the land allotment process, with work currently underway.
Gomati District Magistrate Tarit Kanti Chakma recently chaired a review meeting regarding the matter.
“The ongoing mobile tower works in Tirthamukh over the past few months will continue, and work in Chabimura will commence after the conclusion of the Model Code of Conduct for Elections 2024,” he affirmed.
