Speed-Up of 4G,d BharatNet In J&K: CS At Digital Connectivity Projects Meet

Jammu : Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Thursday chaired the 10th State Broadband Committee (SBC) Meeting to review the status of key digital infrastructure initiatives, including 4G Saturation Project, Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), 5G Readiness, Call Before You Dig (CBuD) and other allied telecom projects being implemented across J&K.
The meeting, convened by the Information Technology Department was attended by ACS, PWD; Commissioner Secretary, Forests; DDG, LSA, J&K; Secretary, Information; Secretary, RDD; Representatives from BSNL and other concerned officers from different departments here. Deputy Commissioners attended through video conferencing from their respective offices.
During the recent meeting, Dr. Piyush Singla, Secretary of IT, presented the incremental progress made since the last State Broadband Committee (SBC) meeting in October. The Chief Secretary acknowledged the steady advancements across various sectors and stressed the urgency of accelerating execution timelines to ensure the timely completion of all sanctioned sites. The review of the 4G Saturation Project revealed that work orders have been issued for 775 mobile tower sites, aimed at enhancing 4G connectivity in remote and border villages. This initiative is funded by the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and executed by BSNL. The Secretary reported that land has been allocated at all identified locations, and power supply has been extended to most sites, with the Chief Secretary urging faster installation and commissioning, particularly for the 269 sites scheduled for completion by March 31, 2026. The meeting also addressed the status of border village saturation, which encompasses 1,421 villages, highlighting the critical need for seamless connectivity in strategically important areas to bridge the digital divide and improve service delivery. Additionally, the Chief Secretary emphasized the importance of adhering to the Call Before You Dig (CBuD) platform to prevent damage to underground utilities, directing regular monitoring through District Level Telecom Committee (DLTC) meetings. The Amended Bharat Net Programme (ABP) was reviewed, focusing on its goal to provide optical fiber connectivity to all Gram Panchayats with a target of 98 percent network uptime. Key achievements include agreements with Project Implementation Agencies, the establishment of a Network Operations Centre in Jammu, and the resolution of inter-departmental issues through a tripartite MoU. On the topic of 5G preparedness, the IT Department outlined initiatives for Right of Way (RoW) facilitation and capacity building, including a workshop on 5G and RoW held in November 2025. The Chief Secretary also assessed the rollout of the Samriddh Gram Panchayat Pilot Project, which aims to digitally empower rural institutions through fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity, impacting 2,234 schools and 1,138 Primary Health Centres. The Chief Secretary reiterated the necessity for close coordination among BSNL, district administrations, and line departments to promptly address district-level issues and prevent project delays. He called for regular DLTC meetings and timely resolution of issues. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to achieving universal digital connectivity across Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing that the timely completion of these flagship projects is vital for enhancing governance, service delivery, and socio-economic development, particularly in remote and border areas.