Government focusing on providing uninterrupted mobile connectivity for Amarnath Yatra

NEW DELHI: The Narendra Modi government is pulling out all stops to ensure a glitch-free Amarnath Yatra in J&K, the first time this government is overseeing the preparations for the pilgrimage kicking off from July 2.

The Home Ministry’s main focus is on ensuring mobile connectivity for the entire route of the Yatra, as the same was a serious casualty during the Yatra last year, documents seen by ET show. Special Secretary in Telecom Ministry, Rita Teaotia in a letter to Home Secretary LC Goyal has assured that BSNL will make all efforts to provide "uninterrupted" and efficient mobile connectivity during the 2015 Yatra.

Further, the Home Ministry is considering extending roaming facility for prepaid SIM cards during the Yatra. “Mobile phones may ring all the way till the Holy Cave this time. Government is aiming for it,” a senior Home Ministry official has told ET.

The official said though the 2014 Yatra was held while NDA government was in charge, the preparations were all overseen by the erstwhile UPA. “We do not want any repeat of the glitches from last time,” the official said. The Home Ministry’s prime concern is mobile connectivity. “The Yatra passes through vast, inhospitable mountainous terrain. Therefore, telecom connectivity on the Yatra route is critical for making effective arrangements…During the 2014 Yatra, the batteries meant to energize the BSNL Mobile towers did not function properly, which severely hampered mobile connectivity in the Yatra area. Three new satellite phones procured from BSNL in June 2014 could not be activated, reportedly on account of technical issues with the supplier,” the Home Ministry Secretary had written earlier to the Secretary, Telecom, Rakesh Garg.

The Home Ministry also told the Telecom Ministry that satellite phones and VSAT connectivity at camps at the Holy Cave, Panjtarni, Sheshnag and Sangam “is critical for the conduct of Yatra.”

Telecom Ministry has assured MHA that all BSNL Base Transceiver Station (BTS) sites on the Yatra route will be provided with battery back-up of 600 AH capacity and J&K Power Development Department must extend commercial supply for 15 hours continuously to charge the batteries.

“BSNL will enhance number of BTS and their configuration to take care of congestion where pilgrims will be halting for night stay. BSNL will also enhance VSAT bandwidth and provide aerial OFC connectivity up to Sheshnag. The services will be covered with V-SAT connectivity from Sheshnag onwards at Panjtarni and Holy Cave,” Telecom Special Secretary, Rita Teaotia told the Home Secretary, asking for “sufficient space” for BTS sites at Panjtarni and the Holy Cave.