J&K govt approves provision of land for installation of mobile towers in underserved areas

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the provision of land for the installation of mobile towers in underserved areas of the union territory.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the provision of land for installing mobile towers in underserved areas has been approved.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said, “The government of Jammu and Kashmir has approved the provision of land for the installation of mobile towers in under served areas in Uri, Tangmarg, Karnah, Kalakote, Kralpora, Basantgarh, Khour, Latti Marothi, Banihal, Pogal Paristan, Ramsoo and Qila Darhal, under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)."

He said the step was aimed at expanding high-speed telecom coverage across J&K.

"The initiative will strengthen connectivity in remote and border villages, support online education and access to e-governance services, improve emergency communication and bridge the digital divide,” he said.

The move will strengthen connectivity in remote and border villages, support online education and access to e-governance services, improve emergency communication and bridge the digital divide, CM Abdullah said.

The initiative will also contribute towards bridging the digital divide by improving access to digital and communication services in underserved parts of the UT.

It must be mentioned that mobile connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir is extensive across major towns and highways, though remote and border belts continue to see active infrastructure expansions.

Out of 6,474 villages in J&K, 6,226 have mobile network coverage, while 248 remain uncovered as of early 2026.

A total of 6,208 villages have 4G access, 3,704 villages have 5G services (primarily in select urban zones like Srinagar), 530 villages have 3G, and 6,030 villages have 2G.

In the decision, the J&K government approved land for new BSNL mobile towers under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) in 12-13 underserved and border areas, including Uri, Tangmarg, Karnah, Kalakote, Kralpora, Basantgarh, Khour, Latti Marothi, Banihal, Pogal Paristan, Ramsoo, and Qila Darhal, to boost high-speed coverage.

Postpaid connections from Jio, Airtel, and BSNL work smoothly across the union territory. However, prepaid SIM cards issued outside J&K typically do not work due to regional security regulations.

Out-of-state travellers can purchase a local J&K prepaid SIM card or a tourist SIM (available at major transit points like airports or railway stations) by completing KYC with an Aadhaar card or passport.

Jio & Airtel offer the strongest 4G speeds and selective 5G service in Srinagar, Jammu, and major tourist hubs (such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam). BSNL features the widest geographic footprint in remote valleys, high-altitude stretches, and border belts, making it a reliable backup.

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