Churachandpur Telecom service: A story of sheer neglect
By Thangkhanlal Ngaihte and Suanlian Tombing
The Internet Revolution that is sweeping the entire country from around 1995 has not yet left even a small town like Churachandpur untouched. Many of the youths from Churachandpur who stay in big cities like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, etc communicate mainly through email nowadays. Chat room like 'Lamka Chat' is well known places where they interact and discuss issues together. But for the utter ineptitude, callousness and neglect of the Telecom Officials, it could not bloom in its source: Churachandpur.
It is believed that Lamka got a taste of the Internet first around January 1999 using the Internet server in Shillong or Silchar, which was an extension of VSNL's DTE Calcutta server. This was a result of the Prime Minister's IT Task Force' Recommendation to give all
district headquarters access to the nearest Internet node at local call rate.
However, it was totally inaccessible in Churachandpur at that time, and no data transfer even though the line was open. Slowly, from around Oct 2000, it became partially accessible. It should be noted, however,
that the DOT or anybody, never made public pronouncement regarding the line condition for the benefit of the public.
In 2001, the DOT was privatized into BSNL and a separate Internet Node was installed at Imphal through NIB (National Internet backbone) system. Under NIB line quality improved considerably in Imphal but for
Churachandpur, it worsened, inexplicably.
In the meanwhile, Private ISP line came up and presently; it is only through this that Lamka people can access the net even though
the service is not satisfactory. A series of
interviews with few enterprising people who set up internet related business here in Churachandpur reveals that most of them are forced to do only printing (DTP), photo Scanning, Designing, etc. or to close shop altogether due to the pitiable line condition.
Roland Pulamte, who set up BITS WORLD in Feb.2000, says that they are forced to close down their Internet facility and are now mainly doing DTP and servicing. Mr. AE. Benny who runs SCIT, a computer institute in Churachandpur has the same story to tell. He finds the response from the public very encouraging, but what he finds most difficult to understand is the utter neglect and ineptitude of the officials concerned. He says that all people concerned should come together and do something about the problem.
David R. Tonsing, who runs Hornbill Computers, rues the fact that under the present condition, it is impossible to deliver service to the customers and so, it is better to just sit tight and do nothing rather
than face the wrath of the customers. Khenthang Hatlang, who runs CYBER CENTER says that he has got Internet Account from both NIB and NE line, but his NIB Account is lying unused due to the line condition and he has to depend solely on NE line which, even in the best time is unsatisfactory.
Numerous inquiries and complaints at the Telecom Bhavan, Imphal and JTO Office, Churachandpur evoke typical bureaucratic response like "we'll see", or "Yes, there's some problem with the line even in Imphal" etc. They had promised that the line condition would improve when the NIB server in Imphal is used, but it proved to be the opposite.
The JTO, Churachandpur, when confronted with all these complaints pleaded total ignorance. He says that there is no independent action he can take and that he is solely dependent on Imphal for whatever he does. He even says that he is not aware of the line condition. On being queried about the proposal to set up a class III Internet node in Churachandpur, he admitted that there was indeed a proposal, but he rejected it citing lack of office space as the reason. However, many people are angry that such a virtual proposal, which could greatly benefit the people, should be rejected on specious grounds like lack of space.
At present, the telephone exchange in Churachandpur is linked with the Imphal main Exchange through two medium viz-Direct underground OFC (Optical Fiber Cable) and Digital Microwaves-via-Bishnupur. The long-standing proposal to upgrade the Exchange's Single Based Module (SBM) to Multi based Module (MBM) is yet to fructify.
Basic telephone service like caller ID facilities are not available.
There is a strong demand here that this story of neglect and inefficiency in the Telecom Dept. should end. Ironically Churachandpur is said to have the second best telecom infrastructure in Manipur after Imphal. The authorities should heed the long-standing grievances of the consumers and rise from their deep slumber.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express)
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