Raipur: In a significant step towards integrating remote areas into the digital mainstream, a mobile tower has been installed for the first time at Kondapalli village, located in the Naxal-affected Bijapur district of Chhattisgarh. This region, long isolated from the outside world due to dense forests and lack of infrastructure, is now witnessing a breakthrough in connectivity that officials say is emblematic of a broader developmental push.

Kondapalli is situated approximately 450 kilometers from the state capital, Raipur, along the heavily forested border with Telangana. Until recently, the village lacked basic facilities such as roads, electricity, and drinking water. The mobile tower installation last week represents more than just technological progress; it is a symbol of connection and opportunity for the local community, long cut off from government services, communication networks, and wider economic engagement.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai described the tower as heralding a new era for the region, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that every village in the Bastar region becomes part of the development mainstream. He highlighted that the initiative would allow residents access to digital services, government schemes, and new opportunities for education, health, and financial inclusion, framing it as a milestone in trust-building and transformation in areas previously considered inaccessible.

The mobile network is being established under the ‘Niyad Nellanar’ scheme, a state government program aimed at bringing development to remote villages, particularly those near security camps, while simultaneously strengthening the administration’s ability to reach and support these regions. With the activation of the tower, Kondapalli residents can now access banking facilities, Aadhaar services, ration schemes, health programs, pensions, and educational resources—services that were previously out of reach due to geographical isolation.

The announcement of the tower’s activation triggered celebrations within the village. Residents, including men, women, and children, marched to the site in a procession, performing traditional rituals and dances to the beat of the mandar drum, a local cultural emblem. People from neighboring villages also participated, reflecting the tower’s significance as a milestone in connectivity and community development.

The installation of the mobile tower follows the establishment of a security camp in Kondapalli in December 2024, which enabled the administration to maintain a more regular presence in the area. Alongside this, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has been reconstructing long-defunct roads, including a 50-kilometer stretch currently under development, to improve accessibility and integrate the village into broader regional networks.

Another major transformation has been the arrival of electricity, which reached Kondapalli for the first time only two months ago. The availability of power has already begun changing daily life, enabling children to study more effectively and facilitating small-scale businesses, while also creating the foundation for future technological adoption and development initiatives.

Under the Niyad Nellanar scheme, the state government has aimed for comprehensive service delivery. So far, 18 community services under nine departments and 25 individual-centric schemes of 11 departments are being implemented across 403 villages surrounding 69 new security camps in the Bastar region, which comprises seven districts, including Bijapur. Over the past two years, 728 mobile towers have been installed across these areas, and 449 existing towers have been upgraded from 2G to 4G, enhancing both connectivity and the speed of communication services.

The broader developmental push reflects a dual approach of security and socio-economic integration. By strengthening infrastructure and communication networks in previously inaccessible villages, the government aims to create conditions that allow residents to participate fully in the social and economic life of the state while simultaneously enabling the administration to provide timely services and maintain law and order.

For Kondapalli, the mobile tower is more than a piece of technology; it represents a new horizon of possibility. Villagers can now communicate with relatives outside the region, access online information, avail themselves of government services, and even explore digital entrepreneurship. For children, connectivity provides opportunities for e-learning, opening doors that were previously closed due to isolation. For adults, it means access to schemes and services that can improve livelihoods, healthcare, and social welfare.

Officials said that the mobile network will also help in disseminating important information quickly, including warnings during emergencies, updates about government programs, and notifications regarding health or education initiatives. This integration into the digital grid is expected to foster a sense of inclusion among communities that for decades have been marginalized due to their geographical remoteness and security challenges.

The celebration at Kondapalli, marked by cultural festivities and community participation, highlighted the deep social and symbolic significance of the milestone. Residents expressed hope that the connectivity would bring lasting changes to the way they live, learn, and work, bridging a long-standing gap between the village and the wider world.

With this initiative, the state government has underscored its focus on leveraging technology and infrastructure as tools of development, particularly in Naxal-affected areas where conventional outreach has often been limited. The Kondapalli tower stands as a model for the Bastar region, showing how connectivity, electricity, and roads can collectively transform lives while enabling governance and security operations.

Officials reiterated that the aim is not merely technological but deeply transformative, integrating social, economic, and governance dimensions to bring the villagers into the mainstream of development. By enhancing digital access and providing infrastructure, the administration hopes to empower residents with information, facilitate their participation in civic life, and create a foundation for long-term growth in a region that has long faced challenges of isolation and conflict.

In conclusion, the installation of the first mobile tower at Kondapalli village represents a significant milestone in Chhattisgarh’s efforts to modernize and integrate its remote and conflict-affected regions. Through initiatives like the Niyad Nellanar scheme, the government is not only improving connectivity but also laying the groundwork for inclusive growth, access to essential services, and socio-economic empowerment for communities that have long been marginalized. For Kondapalli, the tower symbolizes the dawn of a new era, opening avenues for communication, education, and opportunity that were previously unimaginable.