Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 28: Expressing dismay over the continued breakdown of mobile and internet connectivity in Kashmir, senior PDP leader and Member Parliament, Tariq Hameed Karra has urged the Union Telecommunications Minister to intervene in the matter so that telephone connectivity is restored in the valley at the earliest.
Karra called the Union Telecommunications Minister, Ravi Shanker Prasad today seeking his personal intervention in the restoration of mobile and internet connectivity which continues to be in a deplorable condition 21 days after the devastating floods hit Kashmir on September 7.
He said the collapse of mobile and internet connectivity, especially in Srinagar, is adding to the miseries of the people whose lives have been shattered by the ravaging floods.
Karra said the State-owned BSNL, which is the largest service provider in Kashmir, has failed to cope up with the challenging situation as it is still struggling to restore inter-exchange and mobile connectivity.
He said the Union Minister has assured him of perceptible improvement in connectivity during the next few days as according to him the whole battery system of BSNL facilities, damaged by floods, is being replaced in Kashmir.
Karra also flayed the State Government for its failure to prepare an assessment report of the damages caused by the floods to private and public properties including residential houses, business outlets, handicrafts, agriculture, horticulture and tourism sectors.
He also called for immediate restoration of road connectivity in the flood-affected areas as the lack of connectivity was adding to the problems of the people living in these areas.
Meanwhile, Karra visited several flood-hit areas in Srinagar today to take stock of the people’s problems in these areas.