Phulbani: Upset with poor mobile and internet connectivity in Gochchapada panchayat under Phiringia block in Kandhamal district, the Gochchapada Sachetan Nagarika Manch has given a 12-hour call for bandh August 16.
According to the villagers, there is a BSNL tower in Gochchapada panchayat. However, it does not function properly and so BSNL users fail to use their mobiles or internet. They alleged that Jio had also constructed a tower in the panchayat area almost five years back. However, it is yet to be operational.
The villagers said they are facing lots of problems due to non-connectivity. Students are not being able to attend online classes while official work is getting affected. There are a high school, a Forest department office, an SBI branch, a government hospital and also offices in Gochchapada.
The manch has been demanding for the last two year for setting up of at least two proper mobile towers that will ease connectivity problems. The members have taken up the issue with the administration and concerned departments on several occasions, but to no avail.
As per their earlier decision, the manch will observe a dawn to dusk Gochchpada bandh, August 16. Emergency service providers including medicine stores, hospital and fire department will be kept out of the bandh purview. The bandh will be observed peacefully following Covid-19 guidelines.
Gochchapada sarpanch and member of the manch Subhadra Kanhar said they have met administrative officials requesting them to provide network facility. But they are doing what they are best at –giving assurances. “We have no option left but to resort to the bandh. Besides proper functional mobile towers, we have also demanded for an electric sub-station in Gochchapada, underground cable from Katringia to Gochchapada and appointment of a permanent lineman, Kanhar informed.
PNN
