Mobile connectivity set to become a reality in Arunachal Pradesh's border villages

GUWAHATI: As part of the joint efforts of the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh, about 336 border villages of the frontier state scattered near the LAC with China will for the first time be brought under mobile telephony connectivity with the government on Saturday launching 254 4G mobile towers for the region.
At a function held in New Delhi, Union minister for communications, railways and electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw said the installation of these towers in difficult terrain, overcoming practical difficulties is a clear example of "sabka prayas".Citing the example of the installation of a tower in Tawang at a height of 12600 ft, Vaishnaw said communication opens avenues and opportunities for all.
Vaishnaw further said new rail projects are lined up for Arunachal Pradesh and promised that the work on these will be taken forward promptly.
Union law and justice minister Kiren Rijiju, who was also present on the occasion, said security forces and people in the border area used to depend on mobile SIMs of a Nepalese company for communication but things changed after he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the situation.
"Today's launch has happened mostly in border areas. By and large, most of the villages will be in border areas. Our district headquarters like Itanagar are already connected. The target is to reach out to unconnected and unreached locations," he said.
The minister said that thinning of the population because of the non-availability of basic infrastructure had become a major concern. But now facilities like drinking water, electricity and roads are reaching remote and border areas.
The 4G towers have been installed by BSNL in the border area, Rijiu said.
Under the project, the government has connected remote areas of Tawang district where there have been frequent incursions of Chinese troops.
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu tweeted, "Besides providing seamless connectivity to about 70,000 people of the area, the facility will create immense opportunities showing a path for brighter tomorrow."