Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 8: In order to provide seamless mobile connectivity to the pilgrims participating in the Shri Amarnathji Yatra, the Department of Telecommunications (DoTs) has announced significant upgrades to the existing infrastructure.
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In collaboration with major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) including Airtel, BSNL, and Reliance JIO, the DoTs has increased the total number of telecom sites along the yatra route from 51 in 2023 to 82 in 2024, thus adding 31 news sites to enhance the coverage and provide continuous connectivity.
The routes from Lakhanpur to Qazigund and from Qazigund to Pahalgam and Baltal have also been fully covered with 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technology now in many areas.
Additionally, SIM distribution centers have been opened at key locations such as Lakhanpur, Yatri Niwas Bhagwati Nagar Jammu, Chanderkot, Anantnag, Srinagar, Srinagar Airport, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Baltal to extend telecom facilitation to Yatris.
Airtel has installed 19 sites, including locations such as Sonamarg, Nilgrath Army Camp, Baltal-1, Baltal-2, Domail-1, Domail-2, Army Camp, Railpathri, Burari, Sangam, Holi Cave, Panchtarni, Poshpathri, Shehshnag, Chandanwari, Nunwan base camp and multiple Yatri Niwas along the routes, offering 2G, 4G, and 5G coverage.
BSNL has set up 27 telecom sites at various points including Ranga Morh, Baltal, Domail Check Post, Domail, Railpatri-1, Railpathri-2, Barari, Y-Junction, Sangam, Holi Cave, Panchtarni, Kelnar-1, Kelnar-2, Poshpathri, Mahagunus Top, Wabal, Sheshnag, Nagakoti, Zozibal-1, Zozibal-2, Pissu Top, Chandanwari, Pahalgam, Nunwan base camp, and multiple Yatri Niwas, providing 2G, 3G, and indigenous 4G coverage.
Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) has established 36 sites, including Ganshibal Pahalgam, Nunwan base camp, Pahalgam Bus Stand, Pahalgam Market, Lidder Park Pahalgam, Circuit Road Pahalgam, Lalipora Pahalgam, Lalipora ESC, Betab Valley, Chandanwari, Chandanwari Pahalgam, Pisu Top, Zojibal, Sheshnag Camp, Sheshnag Pahalgam, Mahagunas Pass, Poshpathri, Panchtarni-1 Panchtarni-2, Sangam Top, Holi Cave Pahalgam ESC, Holi Cave Pahalgam, Brari Marg, Railpathri, Domail Camp, Domail, Baltal base Camp-1,2,3,4, Saribal Kangan, Nilgrath Sonamarg, New Truck Yard Sonamarg, Sonamarg Main Market, Sonamarg Road, providing 4G services at 30 sites and 5G services at 6 sites.
In a statement, the DoT said that it remains committed to ensuring a smooth and connected experience for all participants of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2024, leveraging advanced telecom technologies to support this important pilgrimage.
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