Leh, 3 January 2025: The Indian Army, in collaboration with Bharti Airtel, has established 4G connectivity in Ladakh’s remote areas, including Kargil, Siachen, Demchok, Daulat Beg Oldie, and Galwan.
The move, part of the ‘Vibrant Villages Programme,’ seeks to address the lack of mobile networks in these border regions.
In a statement on Thursday, the Indian Army’s Leh-based 14 Corps revealed that until June 24, these locations had no 4G services. “Working alongside Airtel, the Indian Army ensured the installation of 42 mobile towers in sub-zero conditions over five months,” the Corps stated.
The installation covers vast stretches of Ladakh, enhancing connectivity for both local residents and soldiers stationed in challenging terrains. Besides offering high-speed internet, the initiative is expected to bolster tourism and provide critical access to online education, telemedicine, and government schemes, narrowing the digital gap in the region.
The project aligns with India’s larger push to counter China’s infrastructural activities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Under the Rs 4,800 crore Vibrant Villages Programme, India has been upgrading infrastructure in 662 border villages across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, eastern Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim in its initial phase.
Ultimately, 2,963 villages are slated for development over the next decade, aiming to transform these remote locations into thriving communities.