Jammu Kashmir, Ladakh Get Major 4G Connectivity Boost | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Union Ministry of Communications has announced an enhancement in telecom connectivity across Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh, confirming that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has installed 2,080 new 4G towers under its ongoing revival programme.

According to data tabled in the Lok Sabha, Jammu and Kashmir was allocated 1,697 4G sites, of which 1,624 have already been commissioned and are currently operational. In Ladakh, 383 sites were sanctioned, with 304 commissioned to date.

The Ministry said the expansion forms part of a series of revival packages cleared by the Centre in recent years, including a Rs 69,000-crore package in 2019, a Rs1.64-lakh-crore package in 2022, an Rs 89,000-crore spectrum support package in 2023, and an additional Rs 6,982-crore CAPEX allocation in 2025 to accelerate BSNL’s nationwide 4G rollout.

The Government of India added that a total of Rs 2.54 lakh crore has so far been utilised from these packages for spectrum allotment, debt restructuring, settlement of AGR liabilities, viability gap funding, capital infusion and implementation of the VRS scheme.

The Centre said the upgraded infrastructure will substantially improve connectivity in border areas, rural regions and remote mountainous zones across both Union Territories, where BSNL continues to serve as a crucial telecom provider.