New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today gave its approval for provisioning of mobile services in uncovered villages of aspirational districts across five States including Odisha.

The project envisages to provide 4G based mobile services in the 7,287 uncovered villages of 44 aspirational districts across Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra States.

The estimated cost of implementation of the project is about Rs 6,466 crore including operational expenses for five years.

The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). The project will be completed within 18 months after the signing of the agreement is likely by November 23.

The work related to provision of 4G mobile services in identified uncovered villages will be awarded through open competitive bidding process as per extant the USOF procedures.

The present proposal for provisioning of mobile services in the remote and difficult uncovered areas of aspirational districts across the five States will enhance digital connectivity useful for self-reliance, facilitate learning, dissemination of information and knowledge, skill upgradation and development, disaster management, e-Governance initiatives, establishment of enterprises and e-commerce facilities and provision of adequate support to educational institutes for knowledge sharing and availability of job opportunity.