The Centre is close to finalising a nearly Rs 2,000-crore plan that seeks to bolster telecom infrastructure in the border areas covering more than a 1,000 outposts and intelligence posts, ET has learnt.

The proposal to install 4G<\/a> telecom towers at the paramilitary manned outposts is in the final stage of discussion and will soon be taken to Cabinet for approval, officials told ET, adding that the plan is being fine-tuned by the telecom department<\/a> and the home ministry.

China has already ensured stronger network connectivity for its troops along the Indian border.

The officials cited earlier said the border outposts and intelligence posts requiring improved network coverage were identified by the home ministry.

This comes close on the heels of the Cabinet clearing the Rs 4,800-crore 'Vibrant Villages Programme<\/a>' (VVP) for \"comprehensive development\" of 663 villages of blocks along the northern border. This also includes a connectivity boost which involves the telecom department<\/a>.

The move also comes amid a clear increase in the number of new border outposts being set up by India along the border in Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh after the 2020 Galwan clashes.

The environment ministry has also fast-tracked approval to a number of BOPs off Changthang sanctuary in Ladakh where strategic installations are being strengthened.

While the rule books on telecom and other installations near the border have been quite stringent, the path for improved mobile network was cleared in August 2022 after considerable inter-ministerial deliberation. Until then, telecom infrastructure installation within 10 km of the border was as good as barred and required approvals from the armed forces.

In August 2022, an amendment was made to the Unified Licence agreement which allowed mobile tower network penetration up to almost 500 m off the border.

The same was necessitated as poor telecom connectivity at border areas was forcing inhabitants as well as paramilitary personnel to use foreign telecom networks for data usage. There were also several instances of the locals opting for neighbouring foreign nation SIM<\/a> cards due to better mobile signal strength.

Paramilitary personnel have also often complained that they are unable to connect on the Indian telecom network and have had to resort to satellite phones for basic communication.

The issue was also taken note of in the 2016 report of The Standing Committee on Home Affairs on \"Border Security: Capacity Building and Institutions\".

The report noted that committee interactions at several J&K forward locations showed that the posted BSF personnel were often rendered inaccessible and did not have proper connectivity.

\"The personnel informed the committee that there was no mobile connectivity available in their BOPs and the only available means of communication with their friends and families was through satellite phones,\" the report said.

The committee had expressed concern over the issue, pointing to the \"insensitive approach of the government\".

The telecom department and the home ministry have held meetings thereafter to improve the border area communication network.