Centre claims full mobile coverage in Sikkim border villages; tourists report gaps in Nathula, Tsongmo

Sikkim has achieved 100 per cent mobile network coverage across all its 68 border villages under the Centre’s flagship Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) scheme, the Union Ministry of Communications announced on July 23. 
 

However, within a day of the announcement, several tourists and local transport operators contradicted the claim, citing persistent network blackouts in popular high-altitude tourist zones such as Nathula Pass, Baba Mandir, and Tsongmo Lake.
 

While the Central government highlighted the installation of 11 new mobile towers as part of its initiative to enhance digital connectivity in remote regions, travellers say real-world experiences tell a different story.
 

Surinder Singh, a tourist from Guwahati, shared his difficulties during a recent visit. “There was absolutely no network for nearly 15 kilometres after crossing 3rd Mile Check Post while returning from Nathula. None of our Indian SIMs worked — not even Airtel. Without signal, we couldn’t use UPI or make calls. This is not what we expect from Digital India,” he said.
 

Singh’s concern reflects a broader challenge: although mapped villages may show coverage, the actual user experience in high-traffic and militarily sensitive areas remains patchy. “When cashless payment is promoted, how do tourists manage with zero signal? These are basic things,” he added.
 

Local driver Ajay Tamang, who regularly ferries visitors to these iconic destinations, agreed. “Only Jio works near Tsongmo. Sometimes Airtel works near Baba Mandir, but past 5th Mile, most signals drop completely. BSNL is there in parts, but it's inconsistent,” he said. Tamang acknowledged improvements in coverage over the years but emphasized that large dead zones remain untouched.
 

The DBN scheme, along with the Vibrant Village Programme, aims to boost connectivity in remote and strategic border regions. Officials say the initiative marks a significant step in improving infrastructure in the Northeast.
 

Sikkim’s lone Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba had repeatedly flagged the issue of poor network access in Parliament, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the critical need for digital services in far-flung areas. His efforts have been widely appreciated, but residents and stakeholders argue that administrative declarations must match ground realities.
 

Interestingly, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) office in Gangtok said they had not yet received any official documents confirming the 100% coverage announcement. “We are yet to receive any mapped details or formal communication from the Centre. Once we have them, we will verify and inform the public,” a DoT official said.