Question : Mobile Towers

(a) whether the Government has approved a scheme to install mobile towers at 2199 locations identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs in 9 States which are affected by Left Wing Extremism and if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the present status of such towers;

(b) the cost of the project along with the financial assistance provided by the Government to BSNL for installation of such towers since inception of the scheme;

(c) whether the Government/BSNL is lagging behind in installation of mobile towers on the said locations from the target set in the scheme, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(d) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, LAW & JUSTICE AND
ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI RAVI SHANKAR PRASAD)


(a) to (d) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *240 FOR 4TH DECEMBER, 2019 ON “MOBILE TOWERS”.

(a) The Cabinet on 20.08.2014 approved a proposal for providing mobile services in 2199 locations, identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in the areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in 10 states (9 States before formation of Telangana state). The work was implemented by BSNL on nomination basis.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Home Affairs identified 156 additional locations for provision of mobile services in LWE affected areas, which were approved in June 2016.
The State-wise status of LWE Phase- I is given in Annexure-I:
(b) The Project Cost of the LWE Phase –I is Rs. 4214.30 crore and as on 31.10.2019, Rs. 2830.20 Crore has been disbursed.
(c) & (d) The installation and commissioning of 2199 tower sites has been completed in March 2017 and the additional 156 sites on 01.11.2018. The project was delayed due to remote and tough terrain, delay in providing some of the sites by the State Governments, changes in sites, etc. In addition, the work for some locations could not be taken up as per the advice by State Government due to security reasons and Naxal activities. Now 2343 sites are providing services.