Middle Andaman, Oct 14: Gram Panchayat Chainpur Pradhan Mr.Johnson Kerketta has submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, North & Middle Andaman District, seeking immediate intervention and a permanent solution to the long-pending issue of extremely poor mobile and internet connectivity in Hanspuri village under Gram Panchayat Chainpur.
In his letter, the Pradhan stated that the mobile network and internet services in Hanspuri village are in a very poor condition. Although mobile tower/network infrastructure is available in the area, adequate network coverage is not available throughout the village. At several locations, mobile signals are extremely weak or completely unavailable. As a result, residents are often forced to move away from their homes to places where mobile signals are available merely to make or receive important phone calls.
The internet connectivity situation is also a matter of serious concern. Even where mobile signals are available, internet speed is extremely slow and unstable. This is creating difficulties for residents in accessing education, employment opportunities, banking, Aadhaar-related services, government schemes, online applications, agricultural services, healthcare services and other digital government facilities.
School Education Also Being Affected
Pradhan Mr.Johnson Kerketta stated that poor internet connectivity is also affecting teachers and students of Government Middle School, Hanspuri. The Headmaster of the school had already informed the Gram Panchayat through a letter dated 24 September 2025 regarding the extremely slow and unreliable internet connectivity at the school.
The school is required to carry out several online activities, including student and staff attendance, UDISE and APAAR ID-related work, updating online academic records, accessing Education Department portals, examination-related online work, entering students’ marks, downloading question papers and educational materials and carrying out other departmental online activities.
However, due to the extremely slow internet connection, teachers and staff are facing difficulties in completing these activities within the prescribed time, directly affecting the smooth functioning of the school and educational facilities.
No Permanent Solution Despite Repeated Representations
The Pradhan said that Gram Panchayat Chainpur has already submitted several letters and representations to the concerned departments and authorities seeking improvement of mobile and internet connectivity in Hanspuri. However, despite repeated requests no effective technical assessment or permanent solution has been provided so far.
Major Demands of the Gram Panchayat
Pradhan Mr.Johnson Kerketta has placed the following demands before the Deputy Commissioner:
1. An immediate joint technical inspection of the mobile and internet network in Hanspuri village.
2. Directions to the concerned Jio/Telecom Service Provider and Telecom Authorities to conduct a technical assessment of the actual network coverage and internet speed in the village.
3. A complete network coverage survey of Hanspuri village to identify areas where mobile signals are unavailable or extremely weak.
4. If the existing Jio tower is unable to provide adequate coverage throughout the village, the feasibility of installing an additional BSNL mobile tower, new mobile tower, repeater or other necessary telecom infrastructure may be examined.
5. Reliable and sufficient high-speed internet/data connectivity, along with voice calling facilities, may be provided throughout Hanspuri village.
6. Government Middle School, Hanspuri may be provided with reliable internet connectivity on priority so that the online academic and departmental work of teachers and students is not affected.
7. A time bound meeting may be convened with the concerned Telecom Service Provider and competent authorities to prepare an action plan for permanent resolution of the problem.
8. If the existing telecom infrastructure is technically inadequate, a proposal for sanctioning a new BSNL mobile tower/additional telecom infrastructure for Hanspuri may be forwarded to the competent higher authorities.
9. BSNL FTTH connectivity from Pudumadurai to Hanspuri may be extended at the earliest. Considering the difficult terrain and forest area between Pudumadurai and Hanspuri, suitable overhead/aerial cable installation may be considered wherever technically feasible to provide reliable broadband connectivity to Hanspuri village.
Pradhan Mr.Johnson Kerketta said that in the present digital era, mobile and internet connectivity is no longer merely a convenience but has become an essential basic service for education, employment, banking, government services, agriculture, healthcare and emergency communication.
He urged the administration to treat the issue of Hanspuri as a matter of public interest and priority, issue necessary directions to the concerned departments and telecom service providers and ensure a permanent and reliable solution to the mobile and internet connectivity problem at the earliest.
