Bharti Airtel Invests Big: Over 1,500 New 5G Sites Bolster Odisha Network Ahead of Puri Rath Yatra
Bharti Airtel has significantly enhanced its network infrastructure across Odisha ahead of the Puri Rath Yatra 2026, reinforcing its commitment to delivering seamless connectivity during one of India’s largest religious gatherings. With millions of devotees expected to visit Puri on July 14, 2026, the telecom operator has expanded its network capacity to manage the anticipated surge in voice and data traffic.
The latest investments are aimed at ensuring uninterrupted mobile connectivity for residents, pilgrims, and businesses while strengthening Airtel’s long-term digital infrastructure in the state.
Major Network Expansion Across Odisha
Over the past 12 months, Airtel has accelerated the rollout of its next-generation network across Odisha by deploying:
- More than 1,500 new 5G sites
- 5G coverage expanded across all 30 districts
- Enhanced network capacity for over 11 million customers
- Improved connectivity across urban, semi-urban, and rural regions
The company has also optimized network performance along key highways, railway routes, and major pilgrimage corridors leading to Puri to accommodate the expected increase in mobile usage during the festival.
Focus on Reliable Connectivity During Rath Yatra
Large public events such as the Puri Rath Yatra place enormous demand on telecom networks due to high volumes of voice calls, video sharing, digital payments, and live streaming.
Commenting on the preparations, Abhirup Chatterjee, Chief Operating Officer – Bharti Airtel, said:
“Ensuring uninterrupted connectivity during this period is our utmost priority. These investments reaffirm Airtel’s commitment to delivering a reliable, resilient and superior network experience.”
The enhanced infrastructure is expected to provide improved network stability and faster mobile internet speeds throughout the event.
New Unlimited Plans for Customers
Alongside network expansion, Airtel has introduced Fully Unlimited Packs for prepaid smartphone users, with plans starting from ₹399.
The new plans include:
- Unlimited voice calls
- Unlimited 4G and 5G data
- No daily data usage limits
- Nationwide connectivity benefits
These offerings are designed to provide customers with greater flexibility while supporting increasing demand for high-speed mobile data services.
Strengthening Digital Infrastructure
The continued expansion of Airtel’s 5G network reflects the company’s broader strategy of investing in digital infrastructure across India. By extending 5G coverage to every district in Odisha, Airtel is supporting the state’s growing digital economy while improving connectivity for individuals, businesses, educational institutions, and government services.