DoT restores 71percent Telcom services in disaster hit Himachal districts
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla, Sept 4,
Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Himachal Pradesh, has restored majority 71 percent of telecom services disrupted by last week’s heavy rains and landslides that battered Chamba, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts.
Bharmour tehsil in Chamba was the worst affected, with roads washed away and fibre routes snapped, leaving the region cut off.
Recognising the crisis, the Minister of Communications, along with senior officials, reviewed the situation regularly. DoT, in close coordination with state authorities and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs), launched intensive efforts to restore connectivity. Despite inaccessible terrain, fibre repair teams trekked into damaged areas, while diesel generators kept Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) operational where power supply failed.
A major relief came with the activation of Intra-Circle Roaming (ICR) in the worst-hit districts, allowing subscribers to latch onto any available network. According to the latest status on September 4, about 71 per cent of BTS sites have been restored.
“Despite unprecedented challenges of terrain and weather, around 71% of the affected sites are now functional. Remaining sites will be restored at the earliest,” said Anil Kumar Gupta, Additional Director General Telecom, Himachal Pradesh local switching area.
DoT reiterated its commitment to provide reliable connectivity to citizens and emergency services in these difficult times.
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