3 km walk to get mobile network! Digital divide hits villages in Ganjam and Koraput

In an age where most government services, from health insurance to pensions, are moving online, some villages in Odisha are still cut off from the digital world. In the remote corners of Ganjam and Koraput districts, network connectivity is patchy at best, leaving residents stranded in an offline reality.

Take Durmag Bhitarpada village in Narayanpatna block, Koraput. Located 22 km from the block headquarters, the villagers here often have to trek long distances just to access a single mobile signal.

 In the Salimagodha panchayat of Sorada block, Ganjam, more than 5,000 tribal residents across 18 hamlets face similar challenges. Without reliable connectivity, accessing essential services such as Aadhaar linking, ration cards, or emergency medical help becomes a daily struggle.

“We have to walk at least 3 km with our children just to get a mobile network signal,” said Kandhuli Phulabansa, a beneficiary.

Amid these challenges, two young men have become lifelines for their communities. Riding motorcycles with laptops in tow, they climb rooftops, scale hills, and find pockets of network to deliver services directly to villagers’ doorsteps. From registering for health insurance to helping with government schemes, their efforts have brought relief to hundreds who would otherwise have to spend hours traveling to reach connectivity.

“We have to come here at 8 am to apply for the CM Kisan card, Ayushman Bharat, or even to fill college application forms,” said Sadu Nachika, service provider.

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Rupa Ranasandha, a student, said, “We have to climb mountains just to find a mobile network. Poor connectivity keeps us from talking to relatives and friends. It also affects our studies, as we are unable to attend online classes.”

Despite some new towers being installed, the network remains inconsistent, and villagers still hope for more permanent solutions. But for now, these two youths are turning determination and ingenuity into a bridge across the digital divide.