Intra-Circle roaming activated in Chamba to keep phones working

Shimla, Aug 26,
In a major relief for residents and tourists stranded in Chamba district, the Department of Telecommunications has activated Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) in Chamba town and Bharmour sub-division for seven days, effective until September 1, 2025. The move comes after recent cloudbursts and flash floods severely damaged telecom infrastructure, leaving large parts of the district cut off from mobile services.

According to the Additional Director General Telecom, HP Licensed Service Area (HP LSA), the temporary measure will allow mobile subscribers to manually connect to any available network, irrespective of their service provider. This ensures that Airtel, Jio, BSNL, and other network users can stay connected using whichever operator has coverage in the affected zone.

Himachal Pradesh, with a tele-density of over 150 percent—far above the national average of 84 percent—has one of the highest mobile penetrations in India. However, the state’s difficult terrain and frequent natural calamities such as landslides and flash floods continue to disrupt communication, especially in remote regions like Pangi, Chamba, and Bharmour.

Officials said the activation of ICR is a progressive step in disaster response, ensuring that emergency lines remain open and people can contact their families during the crisis. It is also expected to provide crucial relief for pilgrims and tourists caught in the affected areas until normal services are fully restored.

The move follows concerns on social media. Chamba MLA Neeraj Nayar had earlier appealed to telecom operators, stating, “No phones are working in Chamba because of which people’s loved ones are worried. Airtel, Jio are requested to find a solution to it.”

Authorities added that while telecom infrastructure in Himachal has expanded rapidly in recent years, measures like ICR highlight the need for operator coordination during emergencies to ensure uninterrupted connectivity in disaster-prone belts.

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