“The project aims to extend 4G mobile services to the most remote and difficult-to-reach villages in Jammu and Kashmir, a critical step toward ensuring equitable digital access.”
The slow progress of the 4G saturation project in Jammu and Kashmir has become a pressing issue, prompting Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to call for immediate action. During a high-level meeting, Dulloo stressed the importance of inter-departmental coordination to ensure the project’s timely completion. His firm tone underscored growing concerns over delays in providing essential connectivity to remote areas, which continue to lack access to basic communication services. The project aims to extend 4G mobile services to the most remote and difficult-to-reach villages in Jammu and Kashmir, a critical step toward ensuring equitable digital access. These areas have long struggled with poor connectivity, and the project’s success is crucial for bridging the digital divide. Despite its significance, the project has been plagued by setbacks, including land acquisition issues, infrastructure challenges, and slow tower construction. One of the key directives from Dulloo was to identify alternative land for tower sites where the originally proposed locations were unsuitable. This delay in finalizing tower locations has contributed significantly to the project’s sluggish pace. Dulloo made it clear that any pending issues related to land allotment or other bottlenecks must be addressed immediately, with priority given to areas still lacking coverage. During the meeting, the Chief General Manager (CGM) of BSNL provided a comprehensive update on the project’s current status. BSNL has been allotted land at 711 sites across Jammu and Kashmir, with civil work underway at 563 locations. Tower erection has been completed at 355 sites, yet only 122 have been made operational. The target is to activate 200 more sites by the end of September 2024, a goal that requires intensified efforts.
“Extending 4G services to remote areas will bridge the digital divide, improve access to government services, enhance healthcare and education, and create new economic opportunities. With only 122 sites operational and a goal of activating 200 more by September, the next few months will be crucial in determining the project’s success.”
Although some progress is being made, the slow pace of implementation remains a significant concern, especially considering the vital role that digital connectivity plays in the region’s overall development. The delays have been attributed to several factors, including difficulties in acquiring suitable land, challenges in providing electricity to the towers, and logistical obstacles in transporting equipment to remote locations. To address the electricity supply issue, Dulloo directed the Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD) to expedite the process of connecting completed towers to the grid. A streamlined mechanism must be established to ensure that power is available as soon as towers are ready for operation. This step is critical in preventing further delays and ensuring that completed towers are not left idle due to a lack of basic utilities. The 4G saturation project is pivotal for Jammu and Kashmir’s socio-economic development. Extending 4G services to remote areas will bridge the digital divide, improve access to government services, enhance healthcare and education, and create new economic opportunities. With only 122 sites operational and a goal of activating 200 more by September, the next few months will be crucial in determining the project’s success. In conclusion, the 4G saturation project is essential for improving connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir. However, the slow pace of its execution is a growing concern. Dulloo’s directives for greater coordination, faster land allotment, and expedited electricity provision are critical to overcoming current obstacles. The success of the project depends on the ability of all departments and stakeholders to work together efficiently and resolve these challenges without further delay.
Shafqat Bukhari
