By IANS
Chandigarh : Banking, Internet, e-governance and several other facilities remained crippled in most parts of Chandigarh and adjoining areas of Punjab and Haryana Saturday after a fire damaged the Sector 17 exchange of the government-run telecom company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL).
Thousands of people using Internet and BSNL mobile and telephone lines complained their phones were not working since Saturday morning.
BSNL officials said over 80,000 mobile and several thousand landline numbers were affected in and around the city after the fire at the telephone exchange building damaged equipment.
The fire is believed to have been caused by an electrical short-circuit. Fire fighters were able to control the blaze quickly. But the damage to the vital communication equipment had already taken place.
Banking transactions were badly affected, with local branches of nationalised and private banks unable to link with their servers. Even automated teller machines (ATMs) were not functioning, leaving customers fuming.
BSNL engineers were working since morning to rectify the situation, but senior officials said it could take up to 2-3 days to bring things back to normal.
"I had payments to make today itself. This shutdown will lead to a major loss in my business," Arun Nehra, a contractor, told IANS.
There were others who were caught unawares by the failed BSNL lines.
"I had lunch with my family at a prominent restaurant and gave my credit card to pay the bill. They (restaurant people) returned it saying lines were down. I wasn't carrying enough money to pay in cash. It was very embarrassing," said Komal Singh, a resident.
The e-governance project, which many local residents use through e-Sampark centres, remained out of service Saturday.
Owners of Internet cafes and kiosks said customers had to leave disappointed as Internet connections failed at several places.
"This time of the year, students have to take online tests and fill application forms for admissions. Many of them had to return as broadband lines were not functioning. I hope this blackout ends fast," said Rajan, a café owner.