New 4G Tower Enhances Connectivity in Himachal Pradesh's Shikari Mata Region

Significant Connectivity Boost in Shikari Mata

Munish Sood
Mandi

In a pivotal advancement for the remote Shikari Mata area of Himachal Pradesh, a new 4G tower operated by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was inaugurated on Tuesday in Dayolana village, as part of the Government of India’s Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative.

This development is set to greatly enhance communication capabilities in the high-altitude Shikari Mata region of Mandi district, which has lacked mobile network coverage from any telecom provider for years, despite being a well-known religious and trekking site.

The lack of mobile connectivity has been a significant issue for pilgrims, local inhabitants, tourists, and rescue teams. District officials have repeatedly identified the area as critical for disaster response and public safety.

The situation gained attention in 2017 when two students tragically lost their lives near the snow-covered Shikari Devi temple after becoming trapped in severe weather during a trek. Rescue efforts, which included large search teams and aerial support, faced challenges due to communication issues in the remote area. Reports indicated that the students could not be reached after entering the region.

Over the years, various rescue operations in the Shikari Mata area have underscored the pressing need for dependable telecom infrastructure. The dense forests and unpredictable weather, combined with the lack of network coverage, have often hindered both visitors and rescue personnel during emergencies.

Officials anticipate that the newly established BSNL 4G tower will provide essential communication access for residents and visitors to the temple area. This connectivity is expected to enhance public safety, improve tourism management, facilitate disaster response coordination, and expand access to digital services in this remote mountainous region.

The Digital Bharat Nidhi initiative aims to close the digital gap by extending telecom and internet services to remote and underserved areas across India, particularly in hilly and border regions. The activation of the Shikari Mata tower is seen as a crucial step towards integrating remote Himalayan areas into the nation’s growing digital framework.