Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 17

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for provisioning of mobile services in villages that have no telecom connectivity.

The project envisages to provide 4G-based mobile services in 7,287 uncovered villages of 44 aspirational districts across five states of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha at an estimated cost of implementation of Rs 6,466 crore, including operational expenses for five years.

The project will 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.

Nod to construction of 32,000 km roads

The Cabinet approved the construction of 32,152 km of roads which are to be completed under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana in far-flung tribal and backward areas, including those affected by left wing extremism, at a cost of Rs33,822 crore.