Shimla, Jun 29
Himachal Pradesh High court today said that it appears that one of the major issues for inadequate bandwidth of Internet and Broadband signal is erratic power supply in the backward and far flung areas of the state more particularily the tribal areas.
The Division bench of Himachal Pradesh High court comprising of Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Chander Bhushan Barowalia
made this observation in a four page order passed on Jun 28 while hearing a public interest litigation.
Meanwhile, the BSNL submitted in the court that they have solar back up but the same is based on outdated and obsolete technology using Lead Acid Battery (Vral Battery). The court considering the issue passed an order that the old and outdated technology should/needs to be phased out gradually and the batteries need to be replaced by Lithium-Nickle- Cobalt-Aluminium (NCA),
Lithium-Nickle-Magnese-Cobalt
The court also directed BSNL to prepare a road map for installing latest solar panels initially with regard to 191 towers, which are situated in extremely backward areas of state and thereafter get the same approved from the concerned quarters within a period of one month from today and report compliance on the next date of hearing.
While, seeking reply from the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity board in the matter of frequent power shut downs of the main transmission line due to carrying out of even minor repairs in one of the distribution lines in the state court was informed by the Counsel of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board that it would be resolved shortly .
The board informed the court and accepted that progress could not be achieved for want of adequate work force, which now has been made available to the Board with appointments of 1800 Assistant Linemen and appointment letters having been issued to 250 newly appointed Junior Engineers.
The court also observed that rates for laying cables in this State are probably the highest in the Country at Rs.1600/- per metre . The court asked the Advocate General to apprise this Court regarding this aspect of the matter.
The court observed that despite that it has been held that the telecom towers do not emit radiation
which could be termed to be ‘harmful’ yet many of the Courts are still passing restraint orders
on petition based on allegations that the setting up of towers emit harmful radiations. HC court has summonedcase records of five cases pending in the lower court about restraining the setting up
the mobile towers to verify the facts in this regard.
A PIL was filed before high court recently about the problem of poor internet connectivity in the state especially in rural areas causing the gap in the services during the Covid pandemic forcing many students to move out from their houses in search of strong signal to attend online classes.
