Over 25,067 villages in India lack mobile and internet connectivity, Odisha is highest with 6,099 villages

Bhubaneswar: Around 25,067 villages across the country lack mobile and internet connectivity according to the Ministry of Communications’ reply in the Lok Sabha based on Telecom Service Providers (TSP) data.

Odisha has the highest number of villages in the country without mobile connectivity. As per the report 6,099  villages in Odisha lack mobile and internet connectivity.

Odisha is followed by Madhya Pradesh (2,612), Maharashtra (2,328) and Arunachal Pradesh (2,223), Chhattisgarh (1,847), Andhra Pradesh (1,787), Meghalaya (1,674) and Jharkhand (1,144) villages.

In November last year, the Centre approved a plan to provide 4G mobile services in 7,287 villages in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha at a cost of Rs 6,466 crore.

Under the scheme about 3,933 uncovered villages in Odisha to be provided with high-speed mobile and internet connectivity. The villages in 10 districts– Kandhamal, Rayagada, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Gajapati, Koraput, Malkangiri, Balangir and Dhenkanal were included.