SIR process: Mobile network unavailability in rural Odisha villages leaves BLOs searching for signals

In Odisha’s remote regions, door-to-door voter data collection under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) campaign is facing severe hurdles. Although employees are equipped with smartphones, apps, and digital systems, network unavailability has left BLOs wandering from place to place searching for signals.

In the hilly and forested areas of Malkangiri and Sundargarh, mobile network gaps and frequent power cuts are hampering progress, forcing staff to rely on paper and pen for data collection. Many villages lack any network connectivity, leaving online uploads stalled and raising concerns about meeting target deadlines.

Digital Efforts Hampered by Infrastructure Challenges

Despite these obstacles, district and block-level offices continue digitalisation efforts, uploading collected data wherever network access is available. BLOs traverse rugged terrains to ensure every household is visited, but with offline challenges mounting, the completion of SIR targets remains uncertain. Officials acknowledge that network and electricity issues, coupled with tight timelines, are the biggest constraints. 

“We are facing difficulties in uploading data as the network is highly unstable. The signal keeps fluctuating, forcing us to travel to areas with better connectivity to upload information. Despite these challenges, we are continuing our door-to-door survey and carrying out our responsibilities,” said Gyanaranjan Palei, BLO, Chitrakonda.

“In several remote areas, poor road connectivity and network issues are affecting the digitisation process. BLOs are collecting forms manually from households and later visiting locations with network access to upload the data through the BLO app,” said Duryodhana Bhoi, Malkangiri Sub-Collector.

Sundargarh district alone has 57 villages out of 1,762 with no mobile signal, highlighting the scale of the challenge. Authorities remain committed to resolving infrastructure gaps and ensuring the preparation of accurate, error-free voter lists before the June 28 deadline.

"In areas facing network connectivity problems, forms are being collected offline and uploaded from locations where network coverage is available. Whenever such issues are identified, we are taking necessary steps to address them and ensure the smooth progress of the SIR process," Subhankar Mohapatra, Sundargarh Collector.

The SIR initiative, launched on May 30 across Odisha, is crucial for updating electoral rolls. Yet, in remote districts, the reality of patchy networks and power cuts underscores the persistent digital divide, reminding officials that even in the age of smartphones, some areas continue to rely on traditional methods to keep democracy functional.