The Jammu and Kashmir government has approved the provision of land for installing mobile towers in underserved areas across the Union Territory under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF). Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced the decision on Tuesday, saying the initiative is intended to expand high-speed telecom connectivity in areas that continue to face coverage gaps. The move covers several remote and border regions.

According to Abdullah, land has been approved for mobile tower installations in Uri, Tangmarg, Karnah, Kalakote, Kralpora, Basantgarh, Khour, Latti Marothi, Banihal, Pogal Paristan, Ramsoo and Qila Darhal. The installations are expected to strengthen communication infrastructure in these locations, particularly in areas where terrain and remoteness have affected network expansion. The towers will be established under the USOF framework.

Abdullah said the improved connectivity would benefit residents in remote and border villages by expanding access to digital services. Better mobile coverage is expected to support online education, e-governance services and emergency communication. The initiative is also aimed at improving access to digital and communication facilities in areas that remain underserved and reducing the connectivity gap between better-served and remote parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

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The government said the decision comes as telecom infrastructure continues to expand across the Union Territory. While mobile services are widely available in major towns and along several highways, some remote and border belts still require additional infrastructure. The newly approved sites are therefore intended to extend network coverage to locations where access remains comparatively limited.

The decision also comes against the broader effort to improve digital connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir. Available figures indicate that most villages in the Union Territory have mobile network coverage, although a number of villages remain without service. The expansion of infrastructure through the USOF is intended to address such gaps and improve access to reliable communication services in underserved communities.

The government’s approval of land is an important step towards setting up the proposed towers, although the actual rollout will depend on subsequent infrastructure and installation work. The initiative is expected to strengthen telecom access in remote locations and provide residents with improved connectivity for communication, education, public services and emergency needs.

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