Chief Secretary of the Union Territory of Ladakh Ashish Kundra chaired the 7th meeting of the Ladakh Broadband Committee to review the progress of connectivity initiatives under the National Broadband Mission and assess ongoing telecom infrastructure projects.
Focus on 4G Saturation and 5G Rollout
The meeting discussed key agenda items, including:
- Review of decisions from the previous committee meeting
- Progress of 4G saturation projects being implemented by BSNL
- Roadmap for 5G services rollout
- Implementation of the “Call Before u Dig” (CBuD) initiative
- Status of amended BharatNet projects
These discussions aimed to strengthen telecom infrastructure across Ladakh.
Presentation on Broadband Initiatives
Rama Babu, Director, J&K LSA, Department of Telecommunications, presented a detailed overview of broadband initiatives in the region.
The presentation covered:
- Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) schemes
- 4G connectivity in Border Outposts (BOP) and Border Intelligence Posts (BIP)
- Army Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) requirements
- Connectivity challenges in remote and inaccessible villages
Priority on Border Connectivity and Vibrant Villages
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra emphasized the importance of reliable telecom connectivity, especially in border areas and Vibrant Villages.
He noted that expanding connectivity remains a priority for the administration and stressed the need for:
- Interoperability of telecom systems
- Strengthening infrastructure through coordinated efforts
Directions for Surveys and Infrastructure Planning
To address connectivity gaps, the Chief Secretary directed:
- Public Works Department to conduct surveys of national and state highways
- Identification of areas lacking telecom coverage
- Joint surveys with the Department of Telecommunications and Rural Development Department
He also set a one-week timeline for surveys in villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
Review of Defence Connectivity Requirements
The Chief Secretary reviewed the Army’s fibre connectivity needs and instructed officials to initiate formal communication regarding BTS fibre connectivity for defence purposes.
BSNL Update on 4G Expansion
Chief General Manager BSNL Kush Kumar provided an update on the 4G saturation project, highlighting progress and challenges.
He assured that:
- The project is on track
- 4G connectivity in Vibrant Villages will be completed by August 2026
Participation of Senior Officials
The meeting was attended by senior officials from multiple departments, including IT, Public Works, Power Development, Forest and Wildlife, along with representatives from the Department of Telecommunications and BSNL.
Strengthening Digital Connectivity in Ladakh
The review meeting reflects the administration’s commitment to improving digital connectivity in Ladakh, particularly in remote and border regions, to support development, governance, and security.
