DC reviews status of Telecom Connectivity in Poonch district

• Directs service providers to strengthen network coverage in remote, border Areas; Fibre Connectivity target set for all 229 panchayats

POONCH: Deputy Commissioner Poonch Ashok Kumar Sharma, today chaired a meeting of the District Telecom Committee to review the status of telecom services in the district. The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Tahir Mustafa Malik; Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Arif Dar; DYSP DAR Shashi Kant; District Informatics Officer Narinder Singh; Executive Engineer PWD Sajad Khan; SDO BSNL Prakash Talmale; representatives from private telecom service providers and other concerned officers.

The Deputy Commissioner assessed the status of telecom connectivity, network coverage in rural and border areas, mobile tower installations and other related telecom infrastructure. Representatives from telecom companies informed that work on 19 mobile towers has been completed, of which 16 towers were functioning smoothly, while the networking of remaining towers was in progress.

The meeting was also informed that a target has been set to provide fibre connectivity to all 229 Panchayats across the district. It was further apprised that Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) has undertaken fibre connectivity work for all Gram Panchayats (GPs). The work has commenced in Poonch Block and is currently in progress. The Deputy Commissioner directed the concerned departments and telecom service providers to ensure the completion of ongoing works within the stipulated timeframe.

He emphasised the need to strengthen telecom infrastructure, particularly in remote and border areas. He further directed telecom companies to take necessary measures to improve network coverage, address public grievances promptly and expedite the installation, upgradation and maintenance of telecom infrastructure wherever required.