In addition to bringing back normalcy to Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre's move to restore mobile and landline communication in Jammu and Kashmir from Monday is also an attempt to further push tourism sector in the region that is reeling in the aftermath of two shutdowns this year. The decision to restore mobile phone facilities in Jammu and Kashmir was informed by Principal Secretary Rohit Kansal at a press conference in Srinagar on Saturday.
"All postpaid mobile phones, irrespective of the service provider, will stand restored and be functional from 12 noon on Monday," Kansal said. “This will cover all districts of Kashmir province," he said adding that the government has thoroughly reviewed the situation in the region. With this step, tourists will be able to visit Jammu and Kashmir without being handicapped by the lack of phone connectivity, he added. In a subtle push asking parents to send their children to schools, Kansal said that students can be in touch with their parents while attending schools as the mobile services would be restored.
The government's move to fully restore mobile connections in the state came two days after it lifted the advisory that asked the tourists to curtail their visit to Kashmir from August 2. Hoteliers and travel agents had then remarked that revival of tourism would only be possible by restoring communication.
The restoration of postpaid cell phones numbering 4,00,000 out of the 66,00,000 will ease the inconvenience caused by the communication blockade. The communication blackout has cut Kashmir from the outside world and inflicted suffering on the people.
This is the second shutdown the tourism industry in the state has been facing this year. Earlier in February, tourism had taken a hit post the Pulwama attacks and Balakot airstrikes.
Further appealing Kashmiris to resume normal life, Kansal said with communication being restored, "businessmen could be in touch with customers, transporters could contact clients and contractors could be in touch with staff".
In addition to warning tourists, the government had also asked Amarnath yatris and non-local students to leave Kashmir in its August 2 advisory. And, soon after the Centre decided to abrogate Article 370 on August 5, the government had snapped telephones and internet facilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
The communication blockade in Jammu and Kashmir that has been spanning for over two months evoked international condemnation. However, the blockade was lifted in Jammu after a few weeks. While internet-broadband (BSNL) was also restored in the region, mobile internet continue to be suspended.
Landlines were resumed in Kashmir after Jammu in a phased manner, but cell phones and internet continue to remain suspended.
