PUNE: The government is determined to improve communication connectivity in remote hinterlands of the country particularly tribal belts — for which plans are being laid out by the department of telecommunications to install communication towers in those areas, said Union minister of state for communication and Information Technology Sachin Pilot.

Interacting with the media after assessing a performance review of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Western Maharashtra here on Saturday, the minister said people in the hinterlands mainly Naxal-affected areas should not feel that they cannot reach the government or authorities in times of need.

Although Naxals have repeatedly targeted mobile towers to disrupt communication, efforts are on to develop an effective telecommunication network in the tribal belts, said Pilot, “We can only develop the telecommunication infrastructure but the job of securing these assets are with other agencies and departments.”

On the issue of mobile tower radiation, Pilot said currently there is no evidence to point out that radiation emanating from towers pose a health risk. However, the government has set a deadline of November 15, for all telecom operators to self-certify radiation levels of their towers to the prescribed parameter set by United Nations and World Health Organisation.