Installation of 4G mobile network towers in progressing in Tribal hamlets in Jawadhu Hills
Inaccessible tribal hamlets and remote villages, mostly in Jawadhu Hills, covering Vellore, Tiruvannamalai and Tirupattur districts will get access to mobile connectivity, as the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been installing 4G towers at 42 villages in the hills, to provide uninterrupted internet connectivity for tribals.
Telecom officials said that the initiative is being implemented as a Saturation Project under Universal Service Obligation Fund to cover remote hamlets that do not have mobile connectivity.
“Basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water supply, and mobile connectivity has become essential for the growth of local economy especially in rural and tribal areas. Entire work of towers in the hills will be completed by March,” A.V. Srikumar, Principal General Manager, BSNL (Vellore Circle), told The Hindu.
In the absence of network connectivity, residents in Jawadhu Hills said that they were unable to contact ambulance services or Village Health Nurse or others during emergencies. Students were not able to attend online classes during the pandemic. “New mobile towers will help usin communicating among people in the hills and in plains. It will also make us know about various government schemes and initiatives that are available to rural poor,” said G. Mayandi, a resident in Jamunamarathur.
The work of installation of 42 towers began in October 2023, officials have installed 37 towers, mostly in Jawadhu Hills. Among them, Tiruvannamalai has the highest number with 25 towers, followed by Vellore (11) and Tirupattur (5).
Five towers were also installed in reserve forests like Mullavadi (Vellore), Vazhathalampattu (Tirupattur) and Palamarathur (Tiruvannamalai). Land for setting up towers is given free of cost by the State government.
Telecom officials said that each tower, on an average, requires around 400 sq.ft of space. Frequency of each mobile tower, which is 40 metre-height and costs ₹1 crore, extends upto five km, covering at least three villages in the hills. Most of the towers are powered by solar and electricity with diesel engines as backup. Network connectivity mainly depends on terrain, height of towers and population density.
Apart from Jawadhu Hills, towers are also being installed in other hills like Nayakaneri near Ambur and Kurumberi near Tirupattur town under Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups initiative. Telecom officials also said that a process of land identification for five new towers has been initiated in these districts.
Published – February 28, 2025 11:11 pm IST
