In a concerning revelation about digital infrastructure gaps in tribal regions, as many as 238 villages across Koraput and Rayagada districts in Odisha remain without mobile connectivity, including functional 4G services. This admission came from the government in response to parliamentary questions, highlighting persistent challenges in remote areas.
Official Data Reveals Connectivity Desert
Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar provided written responses in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday to an unstarred question posed by Koraput MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka. The data, current as of December 31, 2025, shows that 89 out of 2,047 villages in Koraput district and 149 out of 2,671 villages in Rayagada district completely lack mobile network coverage.
Geographic Concentration in Remote Blocks
The uncovered villages are predominantly located in remote, hilly, and forest-fringe blocks that already face significant structural disadvantages. In Koraput district, these include Bandhugaon, Dasamantapur, Lamtaput, Narayanpatana, Pottangi, and Nandapur blocks. Rayagada district's affected areas encompass Bissamcuttack, Kashipur, Kalyanasingpur, Muniguda, Gunupur, and Rayagada blocks.
These regions struggle with limited access to essential services including education, healthcare, markets, and government services, making the absence of digital connectivity particularly detrimental to development and welfare.
Implementation Challenges and Scheme Shortcomings
The Ministry of Communications acknowledged that while hundreds of mobile towers were planned under Digital Bharat Nidhi schemes, numerous sites have encountered repeated delays or discontinuation. Key obstacles include lack of road access, delays in land allotment, forest and wildlife clearances, and right-of-way permissions.
Furthermore, the ministry revealed a troubling practice: villages found to have partial connectivity during surveys were dropped from the scheme entirely, rather than receiving upgrades for better coverage. This approach leaves communities with unreliable service without improvement pathways.
Political Reaction and Criticism
Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, who raised the question, responded strongly to the government's admission. "This reply exposes how tribal and remote regions are being left behind in the name of Digital India," Ulaka stated. "Mobile and internet connectivity today is not a luxury; it is a basic public service essential for students, patients, farmers, small businesses, and effective governance."
Ulaka expressed particular concern about accountability gaps, noting that while the government has spoken of penal action against implementing agencies for delays, no district-wise accountability, tower-wise status, or time-bound completion roadmap has been shared publicly.
Future Exclusion from 5G Infrastructure
Perhaps most alarmingly, the government's response indicated that 5G services will be rolled out purely based on techno-commercial considerations. This approach raises serious concerns that tribal and backward regions may remain permanently excluded from next-generation digital infrastructure, creating a persistent digital divide.
Ulaka emphasized that tribal areas cannot be left to market logic alone. "If the government is serious about inclusive development, digital connectivity must be treated as a right and not as a residual benefit," he argued, calling for a fundamental shift in policy approach.
The revelation underscores ongoing challenges in achieving comprehensive digital connectivity across India's diverse geography, particularly in regions with difficult terrain and existing socioeconomic disadvantages. As the country advances toward more sophisticated digital infrastructure, ensuring equitable access remains a critical policy challenge requiring urgent attention and innovative solutions.
