Badimalika Gets 4G: Nepal Telecom Connects Remote Pilgrimage Site at 4,200 Meters

The famous Badimalika area of Bajura, known for its natural beauty and religious significance, has now been connected to high-speed mobile internet, with Nepal Telecom launching 4G service at the remote tourist and pilgrimage destination from Monday. Located at an altitude of around 4,200 meters above sea level, the new service comes ahead of the major Janai Purnima festival, providing much-needed connectivity to thousands of pilgrims, tourists, and local residents expected to visit the area. Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timilsina inaugurated the service virtually and subsequently held a video call with technicians stationed at the Lauri Binayak tower site at an altitude of 4,230 meters. The installation was completed after nearly a month of challenging work in a high-altitude area with difficult terrain, adverse weather, low oxygen levels, and no road access. Heavy equipment for the tower had to be transported by a Nepal Army helicopter. Nepal Telecom Managing Director Sangita Pahadi said the company is prioritizing its responsibility to extend communication services to remote communities rather than focusing solely on commercial returns. The new connectivity is expected to improve emergency rescue, security coordination, communication, and tourism promotion in the Badimalika region, including the temple, Triveni area, and surrounding trekking routes. Nepal Telecom has also been expanding 4G coverage in other remote Himalayan locations, including Sinja in Jumla, Dunai and Tripurasundari in Dolpa, and Olangchungola in Taplejung. According to the company, preparations are underway to construct around 1,600 additional towers in areas currently without reliable communication services, with the aim of narrowing Nepal’s digital divide between remote regions and urban centers.