The Centre on Thursday said it has completed the rollout of telecom network in areas worst affected by left-wing extremism (LWE) across 10 States in record time, as part of a major initiative to boost development in the Red Corridor.

The public-private partnership project was completed recently, which was part of the Pragati Programme of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The project was undertaken by Vihaan Networks Ltd (VNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) to set up world’s largest solar-powered green mobile network in LWE-affected regions, using indigenously designed and manufactured technology in a record time of less than 18 months. It is now operating and managing it for a period of five years. Felicitating the companies, Communication Minister Manoj Sinha, has urged the domestic telecom industry to invest in “research and development, and innovative technology” to produce world-class products for achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a ‘Digital India’. “Keeping in mind the difficult terrain, absence of roads, electricity and other infrastructure, we have deployed solar technology to power all equipment on the towers, making this the largest green mobile network anywhere in the world,” said Rajiv Mehrotra, founder-Chairman of VNL. The towers and equipments are indigenously designed, developed and made in India. Apart from communicating with family, friends or associates, information related to agricultural inputs and markets is also now available, he said.

Banking and other commercial activities are now accessible. Emergency and other health services are within reach. Governance is easier and more interactive, Mehrotra added.

“The government has fast-tracked reforms in the telecom sector and we continue to be proactive in resonating to the Centre’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Digital India’. VNL has been a key contributor to this endeavour, having completed the project in record time,” said Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director of BSNL.

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