With a step to increase mobile connectivity during the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, Bharat Scholar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Kashmir on Wednesday asked to roll the “Special Rupees: 196 Recharge Scheme” for pilgrims, which is characterized by unlimited voice calls and 2 GB data per day for 10 days.
Principal General Manager BSNL Kashmir, Arvind Pandey told the news agency -Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the scheme has been designed keeping in mind the short term and high data demand for the travel period. “It is inexpensive, effective and ensures that Yatris remain connected even in high altitude areas,” he said.
He asked to facilitate pilgrims; BSNL has installed 38 SIM distribution stalls at prominent places in both Baltal and Pahgam, including base camps and access points, where new connections can be easily obtained.
Pandey also said that the infrastructure is being monitored by round-the-clock, with special attention to network uptime and service quality. “We have also introduced free mobile charging facilities in BSNL towers in these areas to ensure that Yatris can remain connected even during power outage,” he said.
He further stated that two nodal officers have been posted in Baltal and Pahgam for inter-departical coordination and technical assistance and departments to provide telecommunications response.
He said that the initiative is part of the broad effort to digitally empower remote and high -risk areas during the journey, supported by indigenous “Make in India” telecom technology.
Earlier, as already reported by KNO, BSNL also expanded 4G coverage in remote areas such as Gurez and Tulle and is in the process of commissioning more towers in other boundaries and travel-streams.
Certainly, the annual Amarnath Yatra began in Jammu and Kashmir today, while the first batch of more than 4500 pilgrims was flagged off by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha in Jammu- (KNO)