SRINAGAR: Ladakh has emerged as the top performer in the tele-density rankings of India, securing the first position among all states and union territories with a teledensity of 195.88 per cent. Delhi follows closely in second place at 185.56 per centwhile Chandigarh ranks third at 161.92 per cent
After the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories in August 2019, the teledensity of Jammu and Kashmir stands at 89.17 per cent ranking it 18th among all states and union territories. While this position is impressive, it highlights the significant challenges the region continues to face in terms of infrastructure development.
The rapid growth in mobile and internet connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is largely driven by government initiatives like the BharatNet project and Digital Bharat Nidhi schemes, which are focused on expanding telecom infrastructure in remote and hilly regions. As mobile connectivity has reached a large portion of the population, Jammu and Kashmir has seen notable improvements in its digital accessibility, despite challenges due to its geographic conditions.
Ladakh, with its high teledensity, leads the way, thanks to its strategic importance and a strong push to improve connectivity for both local residents and visitors. Delhi and Chandigarh continue to be at the top due to their urbanized nature and robust infrastructure. The consistent efforts by the government in rural areas are evident in the increased coverage and better mobile services, making digital access a reality for more citizens across India.
The rankings based on the data shared by the government in Rajya Sabha show that while Jammu and Kashmir is progressing, there is still room for improvement in expanding digital access, especially in more remote areas.
