BSNL cables worth several lakhs gutted

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, May 3

Cables of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) worth lakhs of rupees have   gutted in a forest fire that has engulfed the Jaunpur development region in Tehri district.   

The BSNL instead of laying the wires underground had passed them over the trees right up to Yamunotri which is said to be  the cause of  fire and destruction of  cables.

According to officials,  cables worth several crores of rupees have  gutted in the region in forest fires.

The cables adjacent to jungles of Kempty village namely Chaijulah, Ath Julah, Silwad and Lalooor Patti have incurred major damage. Another problem that has come to the fore is of falling boulders from mountains after dryness which is posing risk to villagers.  

BSNL subdivisional officer Arvind Kumar said the nigam had incurred a loss of several crores due to forest fires. The cables have been damaged at several places. Lines from Mussoorie to Nainbagh, Nainbagh to Damta, Damta to Naugaon and Nuagaon to Barkot and Uttarksahi have incurred the maximum damage. Not a single BSNL tower is working in Uttarkashi district, he said. Had the BSNL laid the wires underground, the damage could have been averted, residents said.