Mobile Connectivity to Reach 19 Shadow Areas in Dehradun Before Assembly Elections
DM Dr Ashish Chauhan directs telecom companies to improve network coverage, restore inactive towers and expedite BharatNet connectivity
Dehradun, October 15, 2026: The Dehradun district administration has intensified efforts to improve mobile network connectivity in remote and underserved areas ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan has directed BSNL and other telecom operators to ensure mobile connectivity in all 19 identified shadow areas before the Model Code of Conduct comes into force.
The directions were issued during a review meeting of the District Telecom Committee and the National Broadband Mission on Thursday. The DM instructed telecom companies to work on a war footing to eliminate network gaps and improve connectivity across the district.
He emphasised that achieving comprehensive telecom coverage was a priority and directed the concerned departments to coordinate closely to resolve any obstacles delaying network expansion.
Seven Shadow Areas in Mussoorie and 12 in Chakrata
According to the district administration, 19 shadow areas have been identified in Dehradun district, including seven in the Mussoorie Assembly constituency and 12 in the Chakrata constituency.
The DM directed officials to resolve land-related hurdles promptly. Any issues involving revenue land or forest land required for mobile tower installation should be taken up immediately with the concerned departments to avoid unnecessary delays.
Inactive Mobile Towers to Be Restored Immediately
The DM instructed all telecom operators to conduct field inspections of their mobile towers and network infrastructure. Inactive towers must be repaired and brought back into operation without delay.
In areas where no telecom tower is available, BSNL has been asked to expedite plans for installing new towers on a priority basis.
He also directed officials to accelerate fibre network connectivity under the BharatNet project, particularly for gram panchayats, anganwadi centres and primary schools.
170 Villages Still Without BSNL Connectivity
During the meeting, BSNL officials reported that connectivity had been provided to 597 of the 767 villages in Dehradun district, while 170 villages remained without BSNL network coverage.
Connectivity challenges have been reported in forest areas along the Kunawala–Lachhiwala, Dandi–Rishikesh, Raiwala–Haripur Kalan and Daurwala–Dudhli stretches.
Proposals to install new 4G mobile towers in Phulsani, Dirnad and Silla have been submitted for approval.
Under the 4G Mobile Tower Saturation Project, proposals for 24 gram panchayats had previously been approved. Connectivity has been provided in 22 of them. Work in the remaining two gram panchayats—one each in the Raipur and Sahaspur areas—has been delayed due to forest land-related issues.
BharatNet Connectivity Affected in 69 Gram Panchayats
During the BharatNet review, officials reported that 209 gram panchayats had been connected under Phase I. However, fibre cable cuts have disrupted connectivity in 69 gram panchayats.
Under Phase II, 189 of the 228 gram panchayats have been connected, while work is underway to provide connectivity to the remaining 39.
The DM directed officials to restore services in areas affected by fibre cable cuts and complete pending connectivity projects on a priority basis.
He reiterated that expanding communication infrastructure in remote and forest areas was a key administrative priority and called for coordinated efforts to achieve the targets within the stipulated timeframe.
Officials Attend Review Meeting
The meeting was attended by Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) KK Mishra, Joint Magistrate Rahul Anand, e-District Manager Harendra Sharma, BSNL DGM Ranveer Singh Chauhan, SDE Mobile Neeraj Kumar, DIC Manager Siddharth Negi and senior representatives of various telecom companies.
