Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is taking significant steps to improve mobile connectivity in the border areas of Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh and Champawat districts. The initiative aims to extend coverage to regions near the India-China and India-Nepal borders, reducing residents’ reliance on Nepalese mobile networks. BSNL plans to complete the project by March next year.
According to BSNL General Manager Mahesh Nikhurpa, a total of 31 mobile towers are being installed in these remote areas. Of these, 25 will specifically serve border outposts (BOPs), while the remaining will provide network access to lower valley regions. Seven towers are already operational, and work on the others is progressing steadily.
The Himalayan border regions, including Darma, Vyas, and Chaudas valleys, often suffer from poor connectivity due to the lack of infrastructure. This compels locals to rely on Nepalese networks, which are costlier as calls are treated as international. In October 2023, BSNL set up a temporary network in Gunji during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jolingkong for the Adi Kailash peak.
Villagers have started benefiting from the network improvements. They shared that until recently, residents depended on expensive Nepalese networks for communication. With the activation of BSNL towers, connectivity has become more affordable and reliable.
