s many as 1,562 revenue villages in Odisha are bereft of mobile and internet connectivity despite renewed emphasis on information and technology, both by the state and Centre.
In Odisha, out of 51,176 villages (as per data of Registrar General of India), 49,614 villages are covered with mobile connectivity and 49,025 villages have 4G mobile connectivity, Minister of State for Communication, Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
While 96% of villages are covered with mobile and internet connectivity, the remaining 4% of State’s rural pockets have no access to such a facility.
Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on the techno-commercial viability.
The Government, through funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), is implementing various schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity through installation of mobile towers in the rural, remote and border areas of the country, including Odisha, informed the Minister.
As of October 2025, 3,355 towers have been commissioned in Odisha under these schemes, providing mobile coverage to 4,915 villages, added the Minister.