By IANS
Chandigarh : Telephone services of state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) were limping back to normalcy Monday in over 60 percent of Chandigarh, three days after a major fire crippled a telephone exchange.
"We were able to restore lease lines to banks to normalise their operations. Mobile and landline numbers were also normal in most areas," said D.R. Paul, BSNL's principal general manager.
A fire had erupted Saturday in the BSNL telephone exchange in Sector 17, leaving services in the city as well as adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana crippled.
Officials said it would take two-three days to restore Internet services, as new equipment would have to be installed at the exchange.
Nearly 40,000 landline customers of the city's upscale northern sectors – all catered to by the fire-hit telephone exchange – had to suffer.
Banking, postal services, railway bookings, e-governance and other major facilities rendered by the telecom major were rendered non-functional due to the fire.
Automated teller machines (ATMs) of most banks were functional since Monday afternoon. Several banks had opted for their own link-up with their respective banking networks to provide services to their customers.
"Most Internet cafes are turning away customers. It has been a harrowing experience for Internet users in the last three days," said Rahul Singh, a post-graduate student.
But many BSNL mobile and landline subscribers were not satisfied.
"My phone is not working at office but you can contact me when I reach home. I understand that mobile lines are working in southern sectors (of Chandigarh)," said Sanjay, advertising professional.
Railway booking counters remained closed for the third consecutive day.
The Chandigarh police and other emergency services like ambulances and fire brigade had set up alternate lines Sunday for the convenience of the public.