Enhancing Connectivity in Kashmir: A New Dawn with Jio Tower Activation in Uri Village
In a remarkable feat of technological advancement and community advocacy, the Jio Telecom Company has recently made headlines by successfully bringing to life a mobile tower in the twin villages of Bernate and Battangi, situated in the picturesque yet strategically sensitive Uri sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir. This pivotal development not only marks a significant milestone in bridging the digital divide but also showcases the power of collective action and conscientious journalism through the involvement of The Kashmiriyat, an influential local news platform.
For years, residents of Bernate and Battangi have faced significant challenges in accessing reliable mobile and internet services. Despite being subscribers to Jio, one of India's leading telecom providers, villagers were left in a communication blackout, largely due to the alleged negligence by telecom companies in maintaining and expanding infrastructure in these remote locales. The dire situation in these twin villages is not unique but mirrors a broader issue faced by numerous communities situated along the Uri LoC, where geographical and political complexities significantly hinder the provision of basic amenities, including telecommunication services.
The turning point came when The Kashmiriyat, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to community welfare and development, stepped in to bridge the gap between the villagers' pleas and the powers that be. By effectively highlighting and advocating for the issue, The Kashmiriyat caught the attention of the Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla and the Sub-Division Magistrate of Uri. Their timely intervention was pivotal, catalyzing the process that ultimately led to the Jio tower becoming operational, thus illuminating the twin villages with the beacon of connectivity.
While the activation of the Jio tower in Bernate and Battangi stands as a testament to progress, it also opens up a discourse on the broader challenges that persist in ensuring reliable telecommunication infrastructure in Kashmir's more remote regions. Many villages along the Uri LoC continue to grapple with poor internet access, a plight that significantly impacts not only personal communication but also education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The landscape of the area, characterized by rugged terrain and the proximity to the contentious LoC, poses unique challenges that exacerbate the difficulty in delivering consistent and quality telecommunication services.
The broader implications of this development cannot be overstated. In an age where connectivity is tantamount to socio-economic advancement, the operationalization of the mobile tower in Uri's twin villages is a beacon of hope. It underscores the necessity for a collaborative approach involving communities, media, and government authorities in addressing the infrastructural deficiencies that beleaguer remote areas. Moreover, it highlights the catalytic role that focused media advocacy can play in galvanizing support and mobilizing resources towards the achievement of common civic goals.
As we celebrate this milestone, it is imperative to remember that the journey towards achieving comprehensive connectivity in Kashmir's far-flung regions is far from over. The tireless efforts of entities like The Kashmiriyat and the proactive stance of local administration in addressing the connectivity woes of Bernate and Battangi should serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives across the region. It is through sustained advocacy, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships that the dream of a fully connected Kashmir can be realized, ensuring that no individual is left behind in the digital age.
Rose Macaulay
This is actually really beautiful. After years of silence, these villages can finally call their loved ones without walking miles to the nearest signal. I hope this becomes the norm, not the exception.
Prema Amrita
The Kashmiriyat did what governments failed to do. This is not charity. This is justice. No village should be left in the dark because of borders or bureaucracy. The tower is just the beginning.
Michael Harris
Let’s not pretend this is some altruistic act. Jio only moved because the media exposed them. They’ve been ignoring this region for years while raking in profits from urban subscribers. This is damage control, not development.
Vasudha Menia
Yessss!! 🙌 Finally someone listened! These folks have been begging for years. This is what happens when community + media + local admin work together. Let’s keep pushing for the next village!
Patrick Hogan
Oh wow. A telecom tower in Uri. Next they’ll install Starbucks and free Wi-Fi for the army. How quaint.
Ellen Frida
you know... when you think about it... connectivity is just another form of control right? like... if they can call their cousins now... but also... the state can track them... and what if the tower is used for surveillance... i mean... is this really freedom or just a different kind of cage?
Milind Caspar
The narrative presented here is dangerously naive. The activation of a single tower in a strategically sensitive zone does not constitute progress-it constitutes a tactical recalibration by corporate and state actors to consolidate influence under the guise of development. One must ask: Who authorized this? Who benefits? And why now, after years of deliberate neglect?
Alex Rose
The infrastructure gap in LoC-adjacent zones is a textbook case of asymmetric underinvestment. The telecom sector’s capital allocation model prioritizes ARPU-dense urban corridors, rendering rural border communities as negative externality zones. This tower is a marginal correction, not a systemic solution.
Snehal Ranjan
This is the spirit of India at its best where local courage meets responsible journalism and administrative responsiveness. The people of Bernate and Battangi have shown the world that even in the most difficult terrains, human will can overcome neglect. May this be the first of many such victories
Sabrina Aida
How convenient that this happens just before the next election cycle. Media advocacy? Or manufactured optics? The same government that denies water to villages gives Jio towers. Coincidence? I think not.
Robert Burruss
I wonder... if we think of connectivity not as a service, but as a right... then this tower becomes a symbol-not of corporate benevolence, but of the quiet, persistent demand of ordinary people for dignity. Maybe the real miracle isn’t the tower... it’s that they kept asking.
Anna S.
People in these villages don’t need fancy words. They need to call their kids. To check on their elders. To get a doctor’s advice without waiting three days. This tower? It’s not progress. It’s basic human decency.
Mim Scala
I’ve seen similar stories in the Irish border towns. The silence isn’t just about signal-it’s about being forgotten. This matters. Quietly. Deeply.
Alanah Marie Cam
The role of The Kashmiriyat here is exemplary. Independent journalism isn’t a luxury-it’s the last line of defense for communities the system ignores. Let’s fund them. Let’s amplify them.
prajesh kumar
This is the kind of news that gives me hope. No politics, no noise-just people getting what they deserve. Keep going, Uri. You’re not alone.
Bryan Heathcote
So what’s the next step? Can they stream videos now? Do they have 4G speeds? Is the tower maintained? Or is this just a one-time showpiece that’ll go dark again in six months? I need more than symbolism.