Councillor Stanzin Applauds BSNL, GoI for Bridging Ladakh’s Digital Divide
Leh, Jul 20: In a major boost to digital inclusion in Ladakh’s remote frontier, 4G mobile network connectivity has reached the isolated villages of Satoo and Chibra in the Kargyam Valley. Kinchok Stanzin, the Hon’ble Councillor of the LAHDC from Chushul Constituency, announced the update on social media, celebrating the culmination of a sustained push to bring the region online.
Stanzin highlighted that this step forward is part of a broader effort that began in 2017 during his earlier tenure, when a 2G BSNL network was first introduced to the area through the BSNL JK Circle. The latest rollout includes two new BSNL towers at Kherapullu and Barma, which are expected to go live within days. Once operational, these will further strengthen the digital infrastructure and bring the entire Kargyam Valley closer to seamless mobile coverage.
Looking ahead, several more installations are scheduled this work season across other locations in the region including Phobrang, Urgo, Lukung, KawaGang, Shooting Point, Maan, Merak, Khakted, and Chushul. Stanzin expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Communications, the UT Administration, LAHDC Leh, and the GM of Leh BSNL for facilitating the progress under the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), which aims to connect underserved areas.
However, the initial rollout has not been without challenges. Shortly after the announcement, Stanzin Thargyas, a local resident, raised concerns over the reliability of the service. “It worked only for two days, and now we are unable to call home. The whole Kargyam is switched off right now. I hope this situation improves soon,” Thargyas posted in response.
Addressing the issue, Councillor Stanzin acknowledged the disruption, attributing it to an office break that caused the network downtime. During a visit to Kargyam, he assured residents that he had asked for a list of affected phone numbers and would personally ensure the restoration and upgrading of services in the coming days. “The network will be okay during the day,” he added, underlining that efforts to stabilize the service are already underway.
The expansion of digital connectivity into Kargyam Valley marks an essential development for the region’s integration into wider communication networks. While early setbacks have sparked concerns, the groundwork laid promises broader benefits once operational consistency is achieved.
