Tsewang Rigzin
LEH: Ladakh continues to remain digitally disconnected on and off on account of breakdown of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) on Leh-Srinagar Road. Mobile and internet services provided by BSNL are all affected frequently. In the last four days all digitally dependent communications and other services were completely paralysed in the region.
When asked why it was taking so long to restore services, BSNL sources at Leh told STATE TIMES that the damage was caused in Srinagar side which is out of BSNL Leh’s jurisdiction. It is learnt that on Srinagar side restoration takes time on several grounds, including the issue of security.
Disconnectivity of Internet and mobile services has been a routine problem for the whole summer and as a result of which Ladakhi students, rese-archers, tourists and those associated with travel industry had to suffer hugely.
There is an urgent need to find appropriate and permanent solution to keep Ladakh connected digitally round the year because breaking of OFC on Leh-Srinagar road keeps Ladakh disconnected every other day.
Govt of India talks of empowering every citizen with access to digital services, knowledge and information through Digital India initiative but when strategically important places like Ladakh get disconnected for days together, concerned authorities remain least bothered and mute spectators on the issue. Is this the spirit of Digital India?
