The Telecom Advisory Committee (TAC) reviewed the progress of telecom infrastructure projects and digital connectivity initiatives in Mizoram during a meeting held at the CWW Conference Hall in New Capital Complex.The meeting was chaired by Mizoram Lok Sabha MP and TAC Chairman Richard Vanlalhmangaiha and attended by committee members along with senior officials of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Mizoram Business Area.During the meeting, the MP stressed the need to expand telecom services to every village in the state, particularly to support the implementation of government programmes that rely on digital platforms and geo-tagging. He urged BSNL officials to take necessary steps to ensure reliable mobile connectivity in rural and remote areas so that villagers can access services under schemes such as PM Poshan, NREGA and other development programmes.
Richard Vanlalhmangaiha also encouraged BSNL to expedite the implementation of major connectivity projects, including the DBN 4G Saturation Project, the Border Outpost-Border Intelligence Post (BOP-BIP) Project and the Indo-Myanmar connectivity project, among others.Presenting an overview of BSNL’s ongoing initiatives, General Manager of BSNL Mizoram Business Area, B.P. Meena, highlighted significant progress in improving telecom infrastructure across the state. He informed the committee that 111 new 4G mobile towers had been commissioned under Phase-IX.2, while another 30 sites had been activated under the 4G Saturation Project.According to Meena, these projects have substantially improved mobile network coverage in remote and previously unconnected villages, helping bridge the digital divide in rural Mizoram.He also informed the committee that Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connectivity has recently been extended to the district headquarters of Saitual, Khawzawl and Champhai. In addition, bandwidth capacities in Serchhip, Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha have been significantly enhanced to meet the growing demand for telecom and broadband services.
The committee was further briefed on the Government of India’s Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), a major initiative aimed at strengthening digital infrastructure in rural areas. Under the programme, all 776 Gram Panchayats in Mizoram will be connected through an extensive optical fibre network.Meena said approximately 5,600 kilometres of optical fibre cable is proposed to be laid across the state under the project. The initiative is expected to improve internet connectivity, expand broadband access and facilitate the delivery of digital services in rural and remote regions. Members of the committee discussed ways to accelerate the implementation of telecom projects and improve service delivery, particularly in geographically challenging areas where connectivity remains limited.
