Arteev Sharma
Jammu: In a move aimed at strengthening tourist safety and promoting adventure tourism in remote and off-grid areas, the UT administration of Ladakh on Wednesday issued detailed procedural guidelines for the procurement of satellite phones by private tour operators for tourism purposes.
The guidelines follow a decision taken last month allowing tour operators to procure satellite phones that remain operational in “dark zones” where mobile connectivity is either weak or completely absent.
The initiative is expected to significantly enhance communication, particularly in far-flung trekking routes and high-altitude regions visited by domestic and foreign tourists.
Given Ladakh’s status as a barred area, tour operators will be required to undergo scrutiny and obtain mandatory security clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) before procuring and activating satellite phones.
According to a circular issued by Ladakh’s Tourism and Culture Department, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Leh, has been designated as the single-window agency for processing applications and securing all necessary statutory and security approvals. This has been done to streamline the process of procuring satellite phones by the intending tour operators.
Officials said the need for satellite communication has become imperative as Ladakh attracts thousands of tourists annually, many of whom undertake trekking and mountaineering expeditions in areas with little or no mobile network. There have been several instances in the past where trekkers remained stuck in the mountain peaks, thereby highlighting the need for reliable emergency communication. It has been envisaged that the satellite phones will also address the issues caused due to such emergencies
In December last year, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Kavinder Gupta had announced the launch of a simplified mechanism for enabling the use of satellite phones in the tourism sector, terming it a major milestone in enhancing tourist safety and strengthening Ladakh’s adventure tourism ecosystem.
Secretary, Tourism, Sanjit Rodrigues, had stated that in 2022, the Ministry of Defence permitted the use of satellite phones for tourism purposes in Ladakh, recognising the region’s unique geographical and operational challenges. Following this approval, the Department of Tourism proactively initiated steps to operationalise satellite phone services for tour operators.
As per the newly issued guidelines, interested tour operators must submit applications to the Enterprise Business Section of BSNL in Leh. The BSNL will scrutinise documents and initiate the security clearance process with the MHA and other concerned agencies, including the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, local police, and the State Intelligence Bureau.
Upon receipt of the required clearances, BSNL will issue a demand note, after which applicants must complete payment and KYC formalities for activation of the service.
Officials said the operationalisation of satellite phone services would improve emergency communication, strengthen rescue and response coordination, and boost confidence among tourists and operators alike.
The initiative is being described as a first-of-its-kind step for Ladakh’s tourism industry and is expected to reinforce the region’s image as a safe, responsible, and globally competitive adventure tourism destination.
The Department of Tourism clarified that the circular is purely informational and that all technical, commercial, and operational matters related to satellite phones will be handled directly by BSNL.
