The BSNl-run communication services, mainly internet, are in the doldrums in many parts of Haldwani for over a month. And, going by experience, things are unlikely to look up in the coming days.
Notably, closure of its Kushmkhera exchange on November 22 has led the communication network going haywire with the customers remaining at the receiving end of things. Although the officials concerned of the BSNl are claiming to have taken steps to improve the connectivity things remain dismal on the ground.
Following poor connectivity, the professionals, including internet users and cyber café owners, keep facing trouble. We have taken up the matter with the officials concerned, yet nothing has been done to improve things, regretted the cybercafé owners.
Some of the areas where the communication services have been hit include Kushumkhera and its adjacent areas like Gas Godam Road, RTO office Road, Pushp Vihar, Uttaranchal Colony, lamachaur, Kathghariya, Unchapul, Haripurnaik and Kamluwaganja.
The problem started after the BSNl exchange at Kushumkhera area was closed in late November. Though the said exchange has been shifted to a nearby place, its connectivity has not improved a bit, alleged a Kushmkhera- based cybercafé owner. Since the BSNl is leading communication service provider in the region the number of people affected due to the poor BSNl service is huge. Though banks and some other establishments, including cyber café owners, have made some alternative arrangements, these makeshift arrangements have not proved sufficient with the number of subscribers running into thousands.
Keeping in view the interests of the regular customers, we have hired services of some private communication service providers, maintained a cybercafé owner. But these alternative arrangements are proving costly for us, he added.