Jammu: High-speed mobile Internet services are being restored in the entire Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, exactly 18 months after it was suspended in August 2019 when the Centre abrogated special status of the erstwhile state.
Rohit Kansal, the spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir administration, tweeted Friday evening, “4G mobile internet services are being restored in the entire Jammu and Kashmir.”
The services, according to sources, are likely to resume from Friday midnight.
High-speed mobile Internet services had been restored in two districts — Ganderbal in Kashmir region and Udhampur in Jammu region — in August last year.
The Internet services were shut by the government on August 05, 2019 when the special status of the erstwhile state was revoked in Parliament and it was bifurcated into union territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
In early 2020, 2G Internet services were restored.
Former chief minister and National Conference (NC) Vice President Omar Abdullah while reacting to the announcement said it is better late than never.
“4G Mubarak! For the first time since Aug 2019 all of J&K will have 4G mobile data. Better late than never”, Omar tweeted.
Talking to KNO, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) president, Sheikh Ashiq termed the government announcement as a good step, saying that the traders have suffered a lot due to the suspension of the services and now they would heave a sigh of relief.
“Though the decision should have been taken much earlier¸ but at last good senses prevail and let us appreciate the government for taking this step,” he said.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturing Federation (KTMF) Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Khan told KNO that the decision will definitely benefit the people especially traders. “Due to the slow speed internet services, it was taking too long to do some work, but now it will ease the work of traders,” he said.
He added that the decision should have been taken much earlier. “Business in the present era is mostly online and everything is dependent on the internet. So, the restoration of 4G internet will help the traders, tourism sector and others as it will ease their work,” he said.
Besides, he said that banking and other processes will also be eased after its restoration.
The students also took to the social media platforms and expressed their happiness over the restoration of high speed mobile data services.
A number of youth (students) posted on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites about restoration of 4G mobile internet and stated that they will heave a sigh of relief.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Tweets:
I thank the Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji and HM @AmitShah Ji for acceding to our request and restoring 4G services in the entire J&K UT. The move will fulfil the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) February 5, 2021
I thank the Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji and HM @AmitShah Ji for acceding to our request and restoring 4G services in the entire J&K J&K UT. The move will fulfil the aspirations of the people, particularly the youth.
