BSNL files plaint against power dept contractor

Valpoi: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) cables have been damaged during the excavation work for an underground power line in Sattari, severely disrupting telecommunication in the region.Residents and businesses have lost internet connectivity.Hundreds of calls have been made to BSNL from consumers complaining about network loss. A BSNL official on Saturday filed a complaint at the Valpoi police station about cables being damaged at several places by the electricity department.An official of BSNL, Valpoi, said that the services have been disrupted due to the “mischief” of the contractor of the electricity department who is “not discharging his duties in a responsible manner”.As a result, the official said, BSNL cables have been damaged at Dhave-Tar, Zarme, Valpoi town and several other places in Sattari. “All services, including those to police and emergency services, have been hit,” he said.The BSNL official further said the contractor of the electricity department should replace the damaged cables at his own cost or strict action would be taken against him.The BSNL office at Valpoi gets more than 100 calls per day about network loss in the taluka and its officials are helpless since the damage lies underground, making it difficult to carry out repairs.