Pathanamthitta: Centre-owned telecom operator BSNL, which was struggling to provide SIM cards, got a rescue from its Kerala circle. The Kerala telecom circle developed and deployed a new mobile application, ‘Sanchar Mitra’, effectively ending a 12-day nationwide disruption in mobile connections. BSNL has also resumed its fairs.

BSNL had been unable to issue even a single new mobile connection since December 1, following the termination of services by a private vendor that managed ‘Sanchar Aadhaar’, the application used for SIM verification and onboarding. BSNL chose not to renew the contract, triggering a system-wide outage in SIM card services.

In response, BSNL’s corporate office tasked the Kerala circle IT team with developing a replacement application compatible with existing Aadhaar-based verification processes. The Sanchar Mitra app was designed, tested and made operational within a week, officials said.

Unlike the previous system, which required customers to produce their original Aadhaar card, the new Sanchar Mitra mobile app enables SIM activation using just the Aadhaar number, streamlining the verification process and accelerating service delivery.

With the rollout of the new app, BSNL SIM card sales have resumed nationwide, including at major service centres and fairs. In Kerala, the highest number of new connections is currently being issued from BSNL exchanges at Sabarimala and Pampa, where SIM distribution resumed on Friday using the Sanchar Mitra platform.

BSNL officials credited the swift turnaround to the Kerala circle’s IT leadership and development team. Those involved in the project include R Sajikumar (Chief General Manager), Meera Mardi (Principal General Manager), Unnikrishnan (Deputy General Manager), Sindhu (Assistant General Manager), and IT professionals Karthik, Vivek, Johnson, Jani and Sujith.