Srinagar, Dec 10 (KNO): The Union Ministry of Communications on Wednesday informed the Lok Sabha that satellite-based technologies systems such as Starlink could be deployed in the future for the areas of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh where fibre deployment is not feasible to install.
It also informed the house that the two UTs has received Rs 562.91 Crore over the last five years for strengthening mobile and broadband connectivity under various Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) schemes.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the ministry in a written reply said that it has not conducted any separate survey exclusively for disaster-prone areas. Telecom preparedness during disasters continues to be monitored regularly through field reports, telecom service providers (TSPs), and coordination with local authorities.”
The union government further said that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are already in place to ensure telecom readiness and response during natural calamities across J&K and Ladakh.
It also stated that no separate disaster-specific training programmes were conducted in rural belts of the UTs. “Though preparedness is maintained through advisories and review mechanisms.”
The ministry said that “Satellite-based technologies including LEO, MEO systems like Starlink may be considered in the future for regions where fibre deployment is not feasible, such as remote and mountainous zones of the Union Territories. Under BharatNet, 5,034 Gram Panchayats nationwide have already been made service-ready using satellite connectivity.”
It also said the connectivity funds provided to J&K and Ladakh is a part of the Rs 34,967 crore that was disbursed across the country between 2020–21 and 2024–25—(KNO)