BSNL lethargy delinks Gangtok from Tatkal bookings too often

SNT COMPLAINT CONVINCES BSNL AND RAILWAY OFFICIALS TO ORGANISE BETTER SERVICES

GANGTOK, 25 Nov: Both, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Sikkim Nationalised Transport, have come in for some sharp criticism over frequent internet link failures at the railway ticket reservation counter [at SNT bus stand] which deprives travelers here from securing Tatkal railway bookings. Tatkal bookings open for a brief window between 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., and if the irate travelers and hassled SNT personnel are to be believed, the ‘link failure’ at the counter hits during this half an hour slot most often. This observation gains credence in light of the fact that the situation has become so routine that SNT has raised the issue not only with BSNL, but also the concerned Railways authorities.
Concerned officials also inform that there have been times when the ‘link failure’ has lasted the entire day leaving ticket seekers extremely agitated. SNT has reportedly lodged a formal complaint with BSNL as well as with central railway authorities regarding this situation and a solution is expected on Monday. This, one may add, was only possible after a hue and cry was raised by the SNT.
A meeting, it is informed, was held on 24 November between SNT and BSNL officials to thrash out the issue. Attending the meeting were Secretary, SNT, General Manager BSNL and General Manager, Katihar Division of the Indian Railways under whose jurisdiction Sikkim falls.
Officials, while confirming the link failures and regretting the inconvenience caused, informed that the fault lay largely with BSNL and not SNT. It was ascertained at the meeting that the frequent link failure problems was due to the modem provided by BSNL, which, as an official says, “is very slow”. More than a total link failure, the railway booking counter at SNT is plagued by a slow connection taking up to 10 minutes to process a single ticket, it is stated. Link failures during Tatkal booking window is still inexplicable. Apart from a slow modem the BSNL is also informed to have equipped the SNT with faulty cable lines.
It has been decided that the BSNL will provide SNT with a faster modem. The railway booking counter is currently being serviced by a 9.6 kbps speed modem which is now to be replaced by a 64 kbps high speed modem by BSNL on Monday.
Joint General Manager, SNT, KN Bhutia, informs that BSNL officials along with Railway officials from the Katihar division will be here on Monday to sort out the issues.
“It is basically a problem of BSNL,” he said, adding that a complaint has been lodged with them. Hardware maintenance and other railway equipment related matters come under the responsibility of the Katihar division.
There was also an assurance by the GM, Katihar Division that there would be an upgradation of the equipment in Sikkim. In fact all the railway counters which have been opened in the districts will also be upgraded, it was stated by him. Software engineers from the Katihar Division as well as engineers from BSNL are to visit SNT on Monday for the upgradation. SNT has also sought VSAT for its counters in Gangtok as well as in the districts.