BSNL to install 246 Mobile Towers in Naxal-affected areas

By Gizbot Bureau

| Published: Thursday, February 19, 2015, 12:43 [IST]

Government-run telecom major BSNL would be installing 246 mobile towers in two phases in the Naxal-affected areas of Chhattisgarh to improve phone connectivity there, an official said.

The decision was announced at a meeting of unified command for anti-Naxal operations, chaired by Chief Minister Raman Singh, at the new Mantralaya here today. Construction of roads, rail lines, and other essential infrastructure in the 'left wing extremism' (LWE) areas, anti-Naxal strategies, implementation of public welfare schemes, etc were discussed in the meeting.

BSNL to install 246 Mobile Towers in Naxal-affected areas

It was attended by senior security adviser to the Ministry of Home Affairs K Vijay Kumar, state Home Minister Ramsewak Paikra, chief secretary Vivek Dhand, director general Central Reserve Police Force Prakash Mishra, additional chief secretary, Home, N K Aswal, director general of police A N Upadhyay and other officials.

"It was informed in the meeting that BSNL has a target of installing 146 mobile towers in the first phase. Around 80 towers will be erected by March this year and 40 of them will start operating soon thereafter," the official said. The remaining towers will be installed by August-end.

In the next phase, 100 towers would be installed. The BSNL was asked to provide proper training to local youth and police for maintenance of towers, he added. It was also asked to ensure availability of spare batteries for towers so as to avoid interruption in service.

The chief minister assured that additional security would be provided for the construction of Dallirajahra-Rowghat-Jagdalpur rail project. "CRPF has been asked to provide additional force," the official added.

Source: PTI