The BSNL office in Zunheboto seen in deplorable condition. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Zunheboto | July 30
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) office in Zunheboto is reportedly grappling with manpower shortages and deteriorating infrastructure, affecting telecom services across the district.
Addressing on the issue, Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) Kietou Nuh informed that Zunheboto town currently has four BSNL telecom towers located at Amiphoto Colony, North Point Colony, Old Town Colony and within the BSNL office premises. Across the district, BSNL operates a total of 41 telecom towers, while there are plans in installation of nine additional towers to improve network coverage in the District.
Nuh highlighted the acute shortage of manpower, stating that only seven employees are currently serving the entire district. Of these, five are posted at the main BSNL office in Old Town Colony, Zunheboto, while one staff member each is stationed at Satakha and Aghunato. He said a district of Zunheboto’s size requires at least 10 personnel to ensure efficient functioning.
He further pointed out that the district has no technical staff to attend to equipment failures and network issues. As a result, BSNL has to rely on technicians from Mokokchung district, who often take one to two days to reach Zunheboto. This delay frequently leads to prolonged disruptions in network connectivity whenever technical faults occur.
On broadband connectivity, Nuh informed that only 11 fibre connections have been provided across the district, serving key establishments such as the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Zunheboto, the Assam Rifles Camp, the State Bank of India branch at Aghunato, and a few other important locations.
Expressing concern over the condition of the office, Nuh said most of the equipment and machinery are outdated, making maintenance and repairs a constant challenge. He added that the generators supporting the telecom systems are also old and require frequent repairs.
He further stated that the BSNL office building itself is in a deplorable condition and is on the verge of collapse, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and adequate manpower to ensure reliable telecom services in the district.
