Expand services to all administrative centres: Pul to Airtel
FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
Itagar, April 23: To establish effective mobile communication across the state, right from the district headquarters to circle headquarters, Chief Minister Kalikho Pul reiterated the need for private players to make inroads to remote spots, especially in areas close to the intertiol borders.
In a meeting with Airtel CEO (Ne & Assam) Sameer Anjaria here yesterday, Pul reiterated the importance of Aruchal as strategic state and urged the need for mobile communication especially during the time of disasters and border incursions, an official release informed today.
“It’s a shame that border areas in Aruchal cannot enjoy Indian telecom networks while Chinese mobile networks are easily available in these areas,” he said.
“At the time of flood when people are desperate to reach out to outside world for help, the lone government telecom provider BSNL is not able to provide effective communication in border areas,” the CM pointed out.
Stressing on the need to strengthen telecom communication, he pointed out that currently at the time of floods hitting across the state, he was uble to communicate to 3-4 remote districts. A timely communication could save hundreds of lives and facilitate timely intervention to prevent further destruction of properties, he reasoned.
In addition, several border areas are prone to border intrusion and timely communication could avoid great trouble for the country, he said. Also the mobile communication in remote areas could provide timely assistance to students, accident victims, health and small business development enhanced by mobile services.
The chief minister reminded the Airtel official that the service they are going to provide is not for mere commercial purpose but is of tiol cause.
To facilitate for Airtel to push for remote corners, he assured to provide waiver in laying of underground cable networks through the tiol highways and state highways. The company officials had informed that huge amounts were paid to the agencies, which becomes economically unviable for the project since the cable network had to cover vast geographical areas with very low rate of subscribers.
In addition, to minimize the cost incurred in laying of underground cable networks, the chief minister assured to facilitate the laying through the existing power transmission lines. Also he suggested on installing VSAT services wherever there is no road or transmission line communications.
To ensure uninterrupted power supply for the telecom towers from the main line, Pul assured to upgrade the capacity of transformers wherever required. In addition, he assured to provide government lands for installation of towers if there were any issues on availability of land through private holders.
The chief minister further asked the Airtel officials to extend its services to remote mountainous areas in Upper Subansiri, Kra-Dadi, KurungKumey, Mechuka sub-division, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw districts. He also asked to extend its services to lowland areas in districts like East Kameng, Lower Subansiri etc where the areas are out of reach of mobile communication, the release added.
