The services of Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited in Hazaribagh district is at its worst since last more than one month. Everyday the tower sign in the mobiles of BSNl consumers remains out of frame and at other times the consumers are plagued by other problems.
When The Pioneer tried to know the reason behind the poor service of BSNl since last so many weeks, the astonishing fact came out. The services of BSNl which are connected with towers having base terminal stations are suffering due to the shortage of both diesel and electricity.
In Hazaribagh division of BSNl Chatra, Koderma, Ramgarh, Giridih and Hazaribagh districts are included. In these districts yet there are more than 15 lakhs consumers though the number of consumers had decreased sharply during one year. Out of these 15 lakhs more than 5 lakhs are in Hazaribagh district. To cater the services BSNl had installed 455 towers in Hazaribagh division. Due to short supply of diesel and electricity 274 towers are almost non-functional since last more than one month. Among these 274 towers 135 are 2G, 65 are 3G, 50 of wi-max and 24 of Wll facility are included.
On one side the central government has decided to install more towers in backward and naxal prone areas while on another side the allotment for purchase of diesel has been curtailed. For uninterrupted functioning of the BTS of the towers 1 lakh liter diesel per month is needed. Till March the allotment on this head was of Rs. 56 lakhs but now the department is getting amount by which they can purchase only 25000 liter diesel per month.
The condition of electric power supply has also deteriorated in this region due to tussle going on between DVC and JSEB. If the power supply condition will become better then it can be hoped that the consumers of BSNl will start getting a little better service. But till then the consumers will have to suffer and those who are not BSNl consumers but an account holder of any bank will have to also suffer because the board of link failure at banks’ main gate is not going to leave you irked again and again.