98 per cent telecom infrastructure restored in Kerala
About 20 percent of state's telecom network was affected and the total loss was estimated around '350 core.
Thiruvananthapuram: About 98 percent of the telecom infrastructure of the state that was hit due to the floods have been restored and the remaining two percent, mainly in Kuttanad area, would be restored as soon as the water recedes, according to an official statement issued here on Sunday.
A high level meeting convened by Telecom Secretary Aruna Sundaraajan had reviewed the restoration works. About 20 percent of state's telecom network was affected and the total loss was estimated around Rs 350 core.
Of the 85,900 base transceiver stations (BTS) for mobile connectivity in the state, 23,552 were affected by the floods. Of this 22,217 were restored as on August 24. About 400 towers were working with diesel generators as power supply was yet to be restored. As many as 131 of the 153 telephone exchanges and 168 of the 190 optical fibre cables that were cut were also restored.
Restorations work in Kuttanad was being done with priority to ensure that the people would get connectivity once they return home from relief camps. The entire restoration work is expected to be completed this month itself.
In the wake of the present crisis, the Telecom Secretry also directed officials to review the existing crisis manegement protocols. A national level workshop would be organised for the purpose, said the statement.