Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah's dream of connecting all people of his state through mobile phones may soon be realised as BSNL has agreed to provide the facility in areas close to the LoC subject to army clearance.

In a written reply in Rajya Sabha, minister of state for communication and information and technology Milind Deora said that state-run telecom company BSNL will provide mobile phone services in Machil, Tulail, Keran and Karnah in North Kashmir after considering techno-commercial and obtaining army permissions.

"BSNL will be covering Machil, Tulail, Keran and Karnah by GSM-based mobile services progressively subject to its techno-commercial considerations and obtaining army permission as these areas are very close to Line of Control," Deora said.

The minister mentioned that hinterland of Kashmir is, in general, covered by BSNL with telecom facilities. "Mobile and landline services are made available at Gurez on satellite, landline services at Tangdhar on satellite and Village Public Telephones (VPTs) at Keran and Machil Tulail on digital satellite phone terminal," Deora said.

Omar had taken the issue with the army authorities about allowing mobile facilities in remote areas of the state. Recently during the visit of defence minister AK Antony to the state, Omar again took the matter with him to which he was assured of speedy response to the demand.