SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday reviewed the progress of key digital connectivity initiatives across Jammu and Kashmir and directed authorities to expedite installation of telecom towers and broadband infrastructure to ensure universal access to high-speed telecommunications services.
The directions were issued during the 11th meeting of the State Broadband Committee (SBC), which reviewed the implementation of the 4G Saturation Project, the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), preparedness for 5G deployment and progress under the Call Before u Dig (CBuD) initiative.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretaries of Power Development and Public Works Departments, Commissioner Secretary Information Technology, Secretary Rural Development Department, Chief General Manager Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Managing Directors of JPDCL and KPDCL, representatives of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and other senior officers.
Reviewing land allotment and statutory clearances, the Chief Secretary directed all Deputy Commissioners to fast-track clearance of pending telecom tower sites. He asked the Information Technology Department to obtain district-wise status reports and timelines for every identified site in remote and uncovered habitations and sought weekly progress reports on feasibility assessments, land identification, clearances and land transfer to executing agencies.
Dulloo also directed that all uncovered habitations across Jammu and Kashmir be included in the fresh list of sites being prepared jointly by DoT and BSNL to ensure that no eligible village remains without mobile connectivity.
He instructed the Power Development Department, including KPDCL and JPDCL, to ensure timely electricity connections to telecom tower sites and stressed strict adherence to road-cutting and excavation procedures under the CBuD platform to safeguard critical infrastructure.
Reviewing the Amended BharatNet Programme, the Chief Secretary directed authorities to focus on operationalising broadband infrastructure at the Gram Panchayat level and ensure that households benefit through Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services. He asked telecom authorities and the Rural Development Department to assess the status of BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs) in all commissioned Gram Panchayats.
Commissioner Secretary IT Saurabh Bhagat informed the meeting that substantial progress had been achieved under the Government of India’s 4G Saturation Project aimed at providing mobile connectivity to remote, border, hilly and underserved areas.
The meeting was informed by BSNL that out of 847 planned mobile tower sites, 566 have become operational, up from 506 reported during the previous SBC meeting. Work is underway on the remaining sites, with foundations completed at 128 locations, tower erection completed at 97 sites, and passive infrastructure works completed at 82 sites.
BSNL has been tasked with completing all remaining sites covered under current work orders by December 31, 2026.
The meeting highlighted significant gains in border connectivity, noting that 1,402 of 1,419 identified border villages have already been covered by mobile networks, leaving only 17 villages yet to be connected. Of these, 10 villages have already been included under the ongoing 4G Saturation Scheme.
Officials informed the committee that electricity connectivity has been provided to 647 telecom tower sites, while power meter connections have been installed at 581 sites, with the remaining cases being actively pursued.
The committee also reviewed the Border Out Post (BOP) and Border Infrastructure Project (BIP) under which 30 sites have been identified to strengthen communication facilities in strategically important areas.
Regarding the Amended BharatNet Programme, the meeting was informed that the project covers 285 blocks and 4,299 Gram Panchayats across Jammu and Kashmir. Physical surveys have been completed in 2,401 Gram Panchayats, while 282 Gram Panchayats have already been commissioned on the State Network Operations Centre (S-NOC).
Work orders have been approved for 107 blocks covering 1,599 Gram Panchayats, while additional approvals are under process. Officials also informed the meeting that around 744 kilometres of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) have already been laid under the programme.
The Chief Secretary reiterated that reliable telecommunications infrastructure is critical for governance, education, healthcare, security, economic growth and citizen services, particularly in remote, border and rural areas, and stressed timely completion of all connectivity projects across the Union Territory.
