BSNL revives Bara Bhangal mobile tower plan

District administration seeks fresh feasibility assessment for remote project

BSNL has revived efforts to install a mobile tower in remote Bara Bhangal in Kangra district after a project survey was completed in 2024, but construction could not begin due to difficult terrain and the challenge of transporting equipment and construction material along a 26-km trekking route. The district administration has now asked BSNL to reassess the project’s feasibility and explore possible options.

Dr Vipin Kumar Maurya, Senior General Manager of Kangra and Chamba, said the survey for the proposed tower had been completed in 2024 and a site had been identified. However, the project could not move ahead because of the area’s difficult geographical conditions.

He said the identified site could only be reached after a trek of about 26 km, making transportation of cement, steel, generators, antennas, cables and other equipment a major challenge.

Maurya said the matter had been raised with the state government, Department of Telecommunications, and BSNL headquarters. Subsequently, the Department of Telecommunications and the ministry had also corresponded with the state government on the issue.

He said the state government had indicated that road transport of construction material could become possible if the Bara Bhangal route was included under Phase IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.

The district administration had recently asked BSNL to conduct another feasibility assessment and take steps to move the project forward. Maurya also said information had been received about a letter written by MP Dr Rajeev Bhardwaj to the Union Communications Minister regarding the proposed tower.

He said BSNL had earlier issued a letter regarding de-scoping the project. However, following the district administration’s request, the department was now reconsidering the available options.

Maurya said BSNL would make efforts to install the tower if the state government or district administration provided assistance in transporting equipment and construction material through airlift or any other means. He said successful installation of the tower in Bara Bhangal would be an important achievement for Kangra district.