MARGAO: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) services have been
going from bad to worse, with consumers complaining of errant services
and constant disruption in broadband connectivity.
However, BSNL officials are quick to blame others for the poor service, laying blame on various companies that carry out irresponsible digging work, thereby causing damage to lines at various places.
BSNL deputy General Manager S B Akiwat pleaded helplessness over the disrupted services and blamed the regular cutting of the fibre optic cables by various agencies due to either road widening or laying of other cables.
While disclosing that the cable was cut again at Bambolim on Friday morning, he said they are forced to shift to either of the two lines coming from Panjim to Margao, the first being via Cortalim and second via Ponda.
“Users will have to bear with us for a few more days,” he said disclosing that the company is in the process of laying a separate fibre optic cable from Panjim to Margao following which most of the problems will be resolved.
He said most of the exchanges at Margao circle are adversely affected with telephone not working and further admitted the broadband service has become totally erratic.
Surprisingly, despite heavy losses caused to them BSNL has not filed any complaint against any of the persons who damaged the cables according to BSNL officials from Panjim.
However, Divisional Engineer (Transmission) Kulkarni said complaints have been lodged against four companies at different police stations.
He said the four companies against whom complaints have been lodged are Larsen & Toubro, M V Rao Agency, NFS and Reliance Jio. Besides, a demand note has been issued to the National Highway Authority for the damage caused by them.
Incidentally, last financial year BSNL had recovered Rs. 7.5 lakhs as compensation towards loses caused to it.
Replying to a question, Akiwat while admitting that the internet service was not regular pointed out that a rebate in the bill is offered only if there is no service for three continuous days
