State lacks OFC links to 8 distt, 59 block HQs: Centre

DIMAPUR, OCT 31 (NPN): Nagaland continues to face significant gaps in optical fibre cable (OFC) connectivity, with only nine of the state’s 17 district headquarters and 16 of its 75 block headquarters connected, according to a Union Ministry of Communications response to Lok Sabha MP S. Supongmeren Jamir.
According to NPCC communications department, the Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, in a letter dated October 14, 2026, responded to Jamir’s communication of August 4, outlining the status of BSNL connectivity and telecommunications infrastructure in the state. The ministry stated that eight district headquarters and 59 block headquarters were yet to receive OFC connectivity.
Under the 4G Saturation Project, BSNL is installing 346 4G towers to cover 458 villages in Nagaland. Of these, 287 towers have been commissioned, providing 4G services to 387 villages, leaving 59 towers pending.
Jamir said reliable telecommunications connectivity was an essential public service, particularly for a geographically challenging and predominantly rural state such as Nagaland. He noted that connectivity was directly linked to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, banking, governance and emergency communication.
The ministry’s response also stated that BSNL Nagaland had 187 technical staff, including 17 Junior Engineers (JEs), against a sanctioned strength of 10 JEs.
Jamir stressed the need to complete the remaining OFC links and pending 4G tower installations within a definite timeframe, saying project announcements and progress figures must translate into reliable services on the ground.
He urged the ministry and BSNL authorities to coordinate closely with the state government to expedite the work, strengthen existing infrastructure and ensure that remote and underserved villages were not left out of the country’s digital expansion.
MP reiterated his commitment to raising public-interest issues with the Union government and pursuing improved infrastructure and essential services for Nagaland.