Balaghat: Villagers Block Highway Over Mobile Network Outage in 30+ Maoist-Affected Villages
Residents from over 30 Maoist-affected villages in Balaghat district staged a protest by blocking the Balaghat–Baihar highway near Gangulpura in Banjari. Their demand: resolution of persistent mobile network outages, especially in forested areas that significantly hamper daily functioning and emergency services.Nai DuniaNavbharat Times
Details of the Protest
- The protest took place on the highway connecting Balaghat and Baihar, where villagers from Mohanpur, Chalis Bodi, Kaveli, Kasangi, and other remote areas applied the blockade for around two hours. Traffic came to a standstill in both directions.Navbharat Times
- Despite the presence of BSNL towers, these villages remain “out of network”. Locals say they are often forced to travel up to 20 kilometers to find a signal.Navbharat Times
- The network disruption has disabled crucial services—including panchayat work, KYC and pension verifications, MNREGA updates, and even emergency services like calling an ambulance.Nai DuniaNavbharat Times
- Villagers report failures even when ascending elevated spots like hills or rooftops; the weak, intermittent signal prevents completing important tasks, stalling developmental and administrative processes.Nai Dunia
- Despite raising the issue at public grievance camps on May 30 and public hearings on August 5, there’s been no tangible response from administration so far.Navbharat Times
Context & Deeper Impact
- Parts of Balaghat fall within the Red Corridor—a region with Maoist influence—making connectivity both vital and challenging.Wikipedia+1
- Earlier reports highlighted how over 6,000 residents in such areas lived without network access, reducing their phones to “showpieces.” Essential tasks, including agricultural registrations and emergency communications, remained unfulfilled.Free Press Journal
- In some villages like Kaveli, youth resorted to climbing 40 ft water tanks just to make basic calls—an indicator of how deeply digital access deficits impact remote communities.https://mpcg.ndtv.in/
Summary Table
| Issue | Description |
|---|---|
| Who | Villagers from 30+ Maoist-affected Balaghat villages |
| What | Jobs and services—panchayats, MNREGA, KYC, emergency services—disrupted due to network failure |
| Protest | Highway blockade on the Balaghat–Baihar route near Gangulpura, Banjari |
| Coverage Gaps | BSNL towers exist but deliver no connectivity; villagers forced to travel up to 20 km for signal |
| Prior Attempts | Raised at May 30 grievance camp and August 5 public hearing, no resolution yet |
| Broader Challenge | Remote, conflict-impacted terrain—along with prolonged neglect—exacerbates digital exclusion |
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