Srinagar, June 20: The 11th meeting of the State Broadband Committee (SBC) of Jammu and Kashmir was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to review progress of key digital connectivity projects across the Union Territory.

The meeting was attended by senior officers from the Information Technology Department, Public Works Department, Power Development Department, BSNL, JPDCL/KPDCL, and the Department of Telecommunications.
The Chief Secretary directed Deputy Commissioners to expedite clearance of pending telecom tower sites and called for weekly district-wise progress reports on land identification, feasibility assessments, statutory approvals and land transfers. He stressed that all uncovered habitations must be brought under mobile connectivity to eliminate digital gaps in remote and border areas.
He also instructed the Power Development Department to ensure timely electricity connections to telecom tower sites and reviewed compliance under the Call Before You Dig (CBuD) system to protect infrastructure and regulate excavation works.
Reviewing the Amended BharatNet Programme, the Chief Secretary emphasized that the focus must go beyond infrastructure creation to delivering last-mile Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity through BharatNet Udyamis in Gram Panchayats.
Officials informed the meeting that of 847 planned telecom tower sites, 566 are operational, while work is progressing on the remaining locations. Out of 1,419 border villages, 1,402 have already been covered under mobile connectivity.
The Committee was also apprised that under the BharatNet programme, physical surveys have been completed in 2,401 Gram Panchayats, with Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) laying progressing across the Union Territory.
The Chief Secretary reiterated that robust digital infrastructure is essential for governance, education, healthcare, and economic growth, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring seamless connectivity across Jammu and Kashmir.