How BSNL managed to function during flood?
Posted on: 16/Dec/2015 3:17:45 PM
In spite of inundated rainfall across the state, while other telecom providers failed to serve the public, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) coped with continuing its services for its number of subscribers. Though the power supply was intermittent, BSNL staff managed to function their exchanges.
There was a suspension of power supply at Haddows Road exchange on 2nd December, around 1.25 a.m. B. Ramachandran, the General Manager, Centre and Sales and Marketing said they would not have been able to run the exchange without fuel. Our employees bought diesel and functioned generators.
However, it is a mammoth task to ensure undisrupted power supply as the exchange relies on smart fleet card for making payment.
We had to swipe the card, but unfortunately, the internet connectivity was poor. Hence, we were forced to seek credit purchase, said R. Ravindran, sub-divisional engineer. N.E. Rajasekaran who runs a petrol filling station of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited at Royapuram shares a good rapport with Mr. Ravindran.
Rajasekaran says they were not inundated and hence had enough supply. As there was disruption in running the exchange, we supplied fuel, he added.
Diesel worth Rs 5 lakh was purchased at three exchanges: Haddows road, Anna road and Mambalam. Diesel of about 250 litres and 120 litres was consumed per hour at the Hadows road exchange and Anna road exchange respectively.
Mr. Ramachandran adds that they ought to keep all the 144 exchanges up and running as all the government communications are made through the service provider. However, at some point, there was no fuel supply for the Mambalam exchange and explained the possible reason for the cut off for several hours in a few parts of the city.
