NEW DELHI: The push by the Narendra Modi-led central government to make the internet safe and accessible for all citizens, especially in the far-flung regions, is said to be one of the most important tools of development in the northeast region.
As many as 254 towers enabling the 4G network were launched in Arunachal Pradesh by Union Minister for Information and Technology and Communications, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Saturday. He was joined by Kiren Rijiju and Chief Minister Pema Khandu. The move will provide much-needed Internet and broadband connectivity to at least 70,000 residents in villages near the LAC in the Indian territory. The move holds a lot of significance as China continues to expand its infrastructure near the LAC. The situation was fast improving, especially in border districts like Tawang, where ANI did a ground report. "It is a huge motivation, and we need to ensure that we give our people the best," Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said.
Locals hailed the Modi government's move. A car mechanic, Hussain from Changbu village in Tawang district, said, "Earlier, there was an issue if there was a car breakdown or any mechanical matter. But now, with high-speed connectivity, it is easier to access the details of the problem and even track down the customer's location. This will help in making a job easier."
Tashi Yangchin, a government employee, explained how important it is for children. "The use of the internet helps in connecting friends and family across the world, especially for children who want to stay connected to their friends and also use the internet for study, especially in post-Covid times," he said. Ever since the 1962 India-China War, the border district of Tawang has always been on the edge. A few kilometres away from the China border, Tawang has extreme strategic importance. The population of Tawang is nearly 50,000, out of which 10,000 are urban residents, whereas the remaining population resides in rural areas.
The availability of fast internet is not only a necessity for the citizens but also for the administration, as it means a huge step in the direction of governance and the progress of the state. "The delivery of governance has become a lot easier. This region has a lot of shadow areas where people are unable to come and get access to governance. Now the government is at the people's doorstep," Leta, the officiating district collector for Tawang, said. There has been a significant improvement in internet connectivity in the region. However, there is more that needs to be done.
The popular Buddhist town district of Tawang has 25 existing Airtel towers, 21 BSNL towers, and 13 Vodafone towers that provide 2G connectivity. The process to transfer 2G connectivity towers to 4G is currently under way, and out of the list of towers, 10 are already operational. With the launch of 254 4G mobile towers in Arunachal. It will cover a population of over 70,000 and be spread across more than 336 villages. (ANI)
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