Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 27: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has made special communication arrangements enroute both northern and southern routes of Shri Amanathji Yatra for providing mobile services to the pilgrims.
According to handout issued by CGM, BSNL, J&K Telecom Circle, Jammu, a total of 17 2G and 3G Base Transceiver Station (BTS) have been deployed on southern and northern routes of Yatra, mainly at Chandanwari Base Camp, Sheshnag, Poshpatri, Rangamorh, Base Camp Baltal, Domail, Panjtarni and Holy Cave.
In addition to this, BTSs at Sonmarg and Nilgrath on the northern route and BTSs at Betab Valley, Laripora, Pahalgam and Nunwan on the southern route also provide the mobile connectivity to pilgrims.
To meet any eventuality, Holy Cave, Panjtarni, Poshpatri, Sheshnag as well as base camp sites at Baltal and Chandanwari are being provided with the VSAT satellite backup media connectivity.
All these BTSs are connected with network having Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) ring structure. 26 kilometers new OFC has been laid by BSNL for these arrangements.
Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has also requested for Digital Satellite Phone Terminals (DSPT) which have been installed and maintained by BSNL at Holy Cave, Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Baltal base camp.
BSNL has also made special arrangement for Yatri sim sale at Rs 199 with 7 days validity. The SIMs are being sold at Lakhanpur Border, Bhagwati Camp Jammu, in addition to sales outlets at Baltal and Chandanwari (Nunwan Camp) in Srinagar. For obtaining a Yatri sim, pilgrim’s registration slip is mandatory in addition to Proof of Address (PoA) and Proof of Identity (PoI).