J&K approves land for mobile towers in 12 underserved areasKashmir

According to the announcement, the initiative is aimed at expanding high-speed telecom coverage across J&K, strengthening connectivity in remote and border villages, supporting online education and access to e-governance services, improving emergency communication and bridging the digital divide.

<h2>Part of a wider connectivity push</h2> The decision follows the government&#8217;s ongoing push to extend telecom infrastructure to far-flung and uncovered areas. The Chief Minister had earlier chaired a review meeting on strengthening telecom and digital communications infrastructure across the Union Territory, with a focus on far-flung villages, dark zones and railway tunnels.

Officials have said the 4G saturation project, being implemented under the Universal Service Obligation Fund with BSNL as the executing agency, is targeting hundreds of tower sites to provide 4G mobile connectivity to uncovered and remote villages, particularly in border, hilly and far-flung areas of the Union Territory. Reports earlier this year said land had already been allotted at all 775 identified tower sites across J&#038;K under the programme.

At the earlier review, land allotment for telecom towers and equipment, along with Right of Way permissions for laying optical fibre, were flagged as key issues requiring government intervention for timely completion of projects.

<h2>What it means for residents</h2> For residents of remote and border villages in districts such as Baramulla, Kupwara, Ramban and Reasi, where the newly approved sites are located, the new towers are expected to bring more reliable mobile and internet services, making online classes, telemedicine and digital government services accessible where coverage has been patchy.

The Chief Minister said digital empowerment of villages and towns remains central to the government&#8217;s development agenda, and that no part of Jammu and Kashmir should remain disconnected.