Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Feb 13: In a significant step toward development in the Naxal-affected Saranda forest region of Jharkhand, mobile network towers are being installed in highly sensitive villages such as Baliba, Usuruya, and Kudlibad.
The long-awaited connectivity has brought a wave of optimism and relief among residents who have remained cut off from reliable communication for years.
Villagers say the new network will allow them to stay in regular touch with their families, especially those working outside the region. Simple exchanges—morning greetings, late-night messages, and routine check-ins—were once distant dreams due to the lack of mobile connectivity.
For years, development initiatives in these areas were stalled due to Naxal activity, leaving several government welfare schemes in limbo. However, with security arrangements strengthened in recent times, infrastructure projects have gained momentum. Construction of a tower in Baliba had begun last year but was halted due to security concerns.
In Kudlibad, a tower was damaged by Naxals three months ago, while in Usuruya, the tower structure was already in place and the process to make it operational has now been expedited.
Residents believe that mobile connectivity will transform access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and emergency services. It will also help migrant workers remain closely connected to their families back home.
Locals view the installation of these towers as the beginning of meaningful change. With improved communication infrastructure, there is renewed hope that Saranda will integrate more closely with the mainstream and witness accelerated development in the coming years.
