Government Boosts Digital Connectivity in Jammu Kashmir: Rs 563.58 Crore Sanctioned, 20,441 Km Fibre Laid

SRINAGAR: The Government of India has significantly expanded digital and telecom infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, with over Rs 563.58 crore sanctioned for mobile services and a massive 20,441 route kilometres of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) laid across the Union Territory. These developments are part of the Digital Bharat initiative, which aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural India.

According to replies tabled in the Lok Sabha by the Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology and Communications, the combined push in mobile penetration and fibre-optic expansion has begun reshaping connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir, including Ladakh, despite its difficult terrain and strategic sensitivities.

The Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey (CAMS) 2022–23 showed that 94.2 percent of rural households and 97.1 percent of urban households in India had mobile or telephone connections. In Jammu and Kashmir, government-backed projects have been crucial in extending services to remote areas like Kupwara, Kishtwar, and Leh.

Among people aged 15 years and above, 83.9 percent in rural areas and 92.4 percent in urban areas reported the ability to use mobile phones. However, the government noted that actual usage varies, particularly among older populations, though youth adoption is accelerating. Usage among those aged 15–24 years in rural areas rose from 92.6 percent in 2022–23 to 96.9 percent  in 2025.

To strengthen mobile networks, the Centre has commissioned 21,748 mobile towers across India under 4G saturation and rural projects, with JK among the focus regions due to its connectivity challenges.

In parallel, the Department of Telecommunications reported that as of March 31, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir had 20,441 km of fibre-optic cable laid. In Ladakh, 2,219 km of OFC has been deployed, critical for high-altitude areas where satellite connectivity has limits.

Nationally, a record 19.53 lakh km of OFC has been laid in the past five years under the National Broadband Mission (NBM). The government has also made the process of laying fibre smoother through the Centralised Right of Way (RoW) Portal (2022) and Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024, under the new Telecom Act, effective January 2025.

The BharatNet project has already made 2,09,291 Gram Panchayats service-ready, with over 13 lakh fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections delivered, many in rural areas. In Jammu and Kashmir, this is enabling Wi-Fi-based FTTH connections in villages and border districts.

The Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), approved in 2023, is further upgrading older networks and will operate under a Design, Build, Operate and Maintain (DBOM) model for 10 years.

India has also reduced dependence on imports, with Rs 3,009 crore worth of optical fibre exported in FY 2024–25, showcasing strong domestic manufacturing capacity.

Officials said the OFC backbone is also vital for early warning systems, emergency coordination, and resilient communications in disaster-prone areas. Unlike traditional networks, OFC remains largely unaffected during crises like floods or avalanches, except in extreme conditions like landslides or earthquakes—both relevant to Himalayan states.

For the border regions of JK and Ladakh, the fibre network is also critical for national security, real-time communication, and e-governance services. Total OFC laid in JK is 20,441 km whileas the total OFC laid in Ladakh: 2,219 km

With near-universal mobile access and a rapidly growing fibre footprint, Jammu and Kashmir is expected to see a digital leap in education, healthcare, banking, and governance services, bringing its remote communities closer to the national digital economy.