New Delhi, Nov 17 (Agency) The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a project to provide mobile connectivity to over 7,000 villages in ‘Aspirational Districts’ across five States – Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha. The Cabinet also gave its approval to the proposals for continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-I and II upto September 2022 for completion of balance road and bridge works. The Project envisages to provide 4G based mobile services in the 7,287 uncovered villages of 44 Aspirational Districts across the five States at an estimated cost about Rs 6,466 crore including operational expenses for five years. The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The project will be completed within 18 months after the signing of the Agreement and likely to be completed by November 23.
The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant USOF procedures, an official statement said. The CCEA also approved continuation of Road Connectivity Project for Left Wing Extremism Affected Areas (RCPLWEA) upto March 2023. “The present proposal for provisioning of mobile services in the remote and difficult uncovered areas of Aspirational Districts across five States will enhance digital connectivity useful for self-reliance, facilitate learning, dissemination of information and knowledge, skill upgradation and development, disaster management, e-Governance initiatives, establishment of enterprises and e-commerce facilities, provision of adequate support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing and availability of job opportunity and fulfilling the vision of Digital India promoting domestic manufacturing and fulfilling the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat,” said the statement.
On the extension given to projects under the PM Gram Sadak Yojana, an official statement said najority of pending works under PMGSY-I and II are in the North-East and Hill States due to factors such as COVID lockdown, extended rains, winters, forest issues. The States have been requesting the Central Government for extension of time to complete these crucial works related to rural economy. Extension of time upto September, 2022 is being granted to help these states to complete the balance works. Construction of 32,152 km roads to connect far-flung areas would be undertaken. Roads would be built in villages in LWE districts, and the tribal areas across the country. These projects would cost Rs. 33,822 crore. Center would spend Rs. 22,978 crore.