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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3052
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2026
TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE IN JAMMU AND KASHMIR
3052 SHRI SAT PAUL SHARMA:
Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state:
(a) the status of mobile and internet connectivity coverage across villages in Jammu and
Kashmir;
(b) the progress achieved under BharatNet and 4G/5G network expansion initiatives, particularly
in border and remote districts; and
(c) the measures being undertaken to further bridge the digital divide and enhance reliable
telecom connectivity in hilly and hard-to-reach areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) As of January 2026, out of 6,474 villages in Jammu and Kashmir (as per data of
Registrar General of India), 6,226 villages are covered with mobile connectivity and 6,208 villages
are covered with 4G internet connectivity.
Mobile coverage for inhabited uncovered villages is provided by Telecom Service Providers
(TSPs) based on their techno-commercial viability. Government, with funding from Digital Bharat
Nidhi (DBN), has approved various schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity through
installation of mobile towers in the uncovered rural, remote and border areas of the country. In
addition, BharatNet project aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi
Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs), and villages
on demand basis. As of February 2026, 662 villages/locations have been covered with 4G Mobile
connectivity and 1,130 GPs have been made service ready under Bharatnet, in Union Territory of
Jammu and Kashmir.
Further, notification of Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 aim to streamline
the rollout of telecom infrastructure by introducing a single-window approval system, clear timelines,
and uniform procedures across states and local authorities. The rules also promote faster dispute
resolution and infrastructure sharing among telecom providers to improve efficiency.
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