According to the secretary of the information technology department, the government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued work orders for 775 mobile tower sites to extend 4G mobile connectivity to uncovered and remote villages, especially in border, hilly and far-flung areas of the Union Territory. The project is being implemented under the centre’s Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) acting as the executing agency.
Briefing the 10th state broadband committee meeting, he reviewed the progress of key digital infrastructure initiatives, including the 4G saturation project, the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), 5G readiness, Call Before You Dig (CBuD), and other allied telecom projects underway across Jammu and Kashmir. He added that land has already been allotted at all 775 identified locations, while power supply has been extended to most sites with support from the Power Development Department (PDD).
The secretary directed the implementing agencies to further accelerate installation and commissioning work, particularly for the 269 sites targeted for completion by March 31, 2026 and to fast-track approvals for the remaining locations.
The meeting also reviewed the status of border village saturation, covering 1,421 border villages, and underscored the importance of ensuring seamless connectivity in strategically significant areas to bridge the digital divide and improve service delivery.
The ABP was also reviewed in detail. Key milestones achieved so far include the signing of agreements with project implementation agencies, establishment of a network operations centre in Jammu, rollout of centralised billing mechanisms, and resolution of inter-departmental issues through a tripartite memorandum of understanding, he said. On 5G preparedness, the IT department highlighted steps taken for right of way (RoW) facilitation, 5G street furniture mapping, and capacity building, including a one-day workshop on 5G and RoW organised in November 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Telecommunications.
While reviewing the rollout of the Samriddh Gram Panchayat Pilot Project, which aims to digitally empower rural institutions through fibre to the home connectivity covering 2,234 schools and 1,138 primary health centres in rural areas, the secretary said digital connectivity at the grassroots level is critical for improving governance, education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship.
