Connectivity Challenges in Jammu & Kashmir
Special focus was placed on the Doda and Udhampur districts of Jammu, which remain among the most severely impacted areas. Scindia instructed officials to work on a war footing to restore services in these districts, where residents continue to face communication blackouts due to damage caused by flash floods and landslides.
To address temporary disruptions, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) implemented Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR), allowing consumers to latch onto alternative networks if their primary operator’s services were unavailable. This measure has provided significant relief to affected residents who have been struggling to remain connected during the crisis.
Collaborative Efforts on Ground
Telecom engineers and field staff are working closely with local administrations to ensure rapid repair of damaged infrastructure. Mobile towers in difficult terrains are being restored with the support of state authorities. According to officials, progressive restrictions on inter-district and valley connectivity are being monitored to ensure smooth restoration.
Scindia lauded the coordinated efforts of BSNL, private telecom operators, and state disaster management teams. He noted that swift restoration of services was crucial not only for day-to-day communication but also for emergency alerts, disaster relief coordination, and healthcare access in flood-hit areas.
Government’s Commitment to Service Restoration
The Minister assured that no effort would be spared to fully restore communication lines at the earliest. “Every possible step must be taken to ensure that citizens are able to stay connected during these testing times,” Scindia said. He expressed confidence that with the ongoing ground-level work and state-level cooperation, services would be normalized soon.
Floods and landslides have caused widespread disruption in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir this monsoon season, leading to loss of property and hampering road connectivity. In such a scenario, uninterrupted mobile services play a lifeline role in ensuring that people can access emergency assistance and communicate with their families.
