Nashik : State-owned BSNL has unveiled a Rs 99-crore plan to nearly double its network infrastructure across Nashik, Trimbakeshwar and key highway corridors ahead of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela, with 211 new towers slated for installation over the next eight months.
“Under a Rs 100-crore Digital Bharat Nidhi project, 49 towers will be installed to provide 4G connectivity to these villages. Meanwhile, the Department of Telecommunications has launched a parallel plan to improve connectivity in remote parts of the district.
The administration is making all efforts to ensure the work starts at the earliest,” collector Ayush Prasad said. “We plan to set up 211 towers at a cost of Rs 99 crore to eliminate coverage gaps and handle heavy data traffic during the event,” said BSNL Nashik general manager Sarang Mandviker. “There are 49 villages, mostly in Trimbakeshwar, Igatpuri and Surgana, that remain outside network coverage,” deputy director R K Maheshwari said. Officials said permissions are being sought for several tower sites located in forest areas.
The expansion comes amid persistent complaints of call drops and patchy connectivity in the region. “There are several issues of call drops across networks. BSNL has presented a plan to double its network in Nashik, Trimbakeshwar and along highways. “We have approached the collectorate, Nashik Municipal Corporation and zilla parishad for support in identifying suitable locations.