The Telecom Department has failed to cover all the villages of Athmallik sub-division under mobile service till now. While the whole world is rejoicing in the digital age, till now this digital services remain a day dream for lakhs in this forested and hilly region.
There is no mobile network in more than 50 villages of Athmallik and Kishore Nagar Blocks under the sub-division in Angul district. The people of the area are seen sitting on the trees and high places of the village to find mobile network for communicating with people in another places for any important work.
The BSNL's network is mostly down in the Athmallik NAC. JIO network too also is not hassle-free. There is a BSNL network office in the Athmallik town but there is no officers working here. Only one out of two irregular employees is running the office.
Villages like Laxmipur, Ambanali, Rainali, Hemamura, Batrakhol, Saluni of Sapaghara Panchayat and Somanathpur, Golekhpur, Kenchuanali, Raida, Jamubani of Kantapada Panchayat and Konsab, Korab, Maimura, Mutulusinga, Dhedakhol, Gopapur, Raipur, Jhintikabahal, Taranda, Bipradiha of Maimura Panchayat are out of coverage area in mobile network system. Similarly, the villages like Poda Padar, Adeswar, Garida etc. of Ambasara Munda Panchayat are facing the same problem due to lack of mobile network.
Towers of BNL or any private company have not been installed in the villages of Khol Regeda, Baliamb, Nua Balikhaman and Anlaberani, Hingarid, Gunduri Jharan, Rajan Pali of Kantei Kolwa Panchayat in Handpa Panchayat of Kishore Nagar Block. Ambulance, Fire, Police services available for emergencies in the villages cannot be accessible due to lack of mobile network. The students are reported to have been facing difficulties in studying as they cannot access internet.
Since 2019 till now, the villagers have submitted demand letters to the district administration and Central Telecom Department many times for construction of mobile towers. But due to apathy of the department and administration, the residents in these villages are forced to stay away from the digital services.
It is said that if the BSNL towers will be installed at the right and required places, these villagers will benefit and the Government will earn good revenue.