India’s rollout of 5G telecom services is among the fastest in the world with the 2,00,000th 5G site being commissioned in Gangotri, CharDham today, Communications, Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said.

“The Prime Minister launched 5G services on 1st Oct 2022 and within 8 months as many as 2,00,000 sites covering 700 districts have been installed. The 5G network has been launched now in all 28 states and 8 UTs across the country, the minister said in his address at the launch ceremony.

The Chardhams (Badrinath, Kedarnath,Gangotri, Yamnotri) have now got 5G Mobile coverage under the “Telecom Kranti” that is taking place under PM Modi’s leadership, the minister said.

He explained that fibre connectivity will ensure extremely high internet bandwidth for seamless access for pilgrims visiting these locations and easing the lives of the public which is a part of citizen-centric initiative of the Government. Voice & Video Call quality in & around temple premises and through the yatra route will henceforth be very good in spite of high numbers of footfall of pilgrims. Besides, the entire trekking path (6 km) from Ghangaria to HemKund Sahib has also been covered with Mobile Services.

The minister also said that in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to lead in 6G technology development, India has over 100 patents in 6G technology, which shows the prowess of the talented engineers and innovators of the country.  Developed countries like the USA are showing interest in India’s 4G/5G technology stack, the minister added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on laying the foundation stone of various projects in Mana, Uttarakhand said, “There are two major pillars of the developed India of the 21st century. First, pride in our heritage and second, all possible efforts for development and Uttarakhand is strengthening both these pillars”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami thanked the service providers for the support for commissioning telecom services in the remotest areas of the state. Connectivity in Chardhams will enable pilgrims to stay connected to their kin and the world. A high-speed network in the mountains will shall in disaster management and surveillance in real time basis, he added.