BSNL denying phone connections to Bandipora residents


Mir TariqBandipora, Feb 13: Despite depositing money with BSNL some six years back, the residents of some far flung areas of this North Kashmir district have not been provided telephone connections so far.
Residents of Arin, Quil Muqam, Sumlar, Chitay bandy, Khenusa, Benlipora have said that they deposited Rs 2000 with BSNL authorities some six years back to avail telephone connections. ‘But despite the lapse of six years, the telephone connections were not provided to us,” they said. “The department had promised phones in two months time in 2000-2001. These phones were diverted to other areas”, alleged the residents.An applicant, Muhammad Kamal said, “We have deposited an amount of Rs 2000 six years back with BSNL for installation of telephone connections. But till date telecom authorities are playing fraud with us and have not provided us telephone connections”.Another applicant, Abdul Gaffar of Sumbal said, “The BSNL authorities are continuously ignoring us. They are providing new connections but are not bothered to provide us telephone connections”.The villagers demanded immediate installation of telephone connections. “Without wasting any more time, the BSNL authorities should provide us telephone connections”, added the villagers.Meanwhile, the BSNL subscribers have termed the telecom facility in the district as unsatisfactory. “The exchange remains non-functional during most of the times, which causes grave hardships to us,” said Saif-ud-Din Mir, a businessmanThere is only one Telephone Exchange in the area with a single capacitor having capacity of 500 connections. The exchange has been established in early 1960’s.“Today there are about 3000 landline connections in Bandipora and more 2000 applicants are waiting for installation of new connections. The exchange is not in a position to bear the load. It needs total revamp,” added the residents.Talking to Rising Kashmir, the district telecom officer Bandipora Mr Raaj said “We are presently not in position to provide more connections. The exchange being a single capacitor is already overloaded”.He added, “We will be installing two more capacitors in March and this will help us in providing new connections to the people”.Raaj further said “The exchange has less capacity and more connections and as such customers are facing problems. This problem will be over after installation of two more capacitors.”