13 VDCs out of telecom network

RUKUM, July 29:  Communication network in 13 VDCs in Rukum and Jajarkot have gone kaput for two months after a telecommunication tower in Ratamata village of Ghetma VDC, Rukum, became dysfunctional. Six VDCs in Rukum and seven VDCs in Jajarkot have been affected as a result.



Nepal Telecom staffer Hemanta BC said the tower stopped functioning after the solar panels used to recharge its batteries were stolen. [break] Telecom service has been frequently affected in the past as the solar panels were unable to fully recharge the batteries.



Some 10,000 consumers have been directly affected by the tower breakdown.



Ghetma, Dandagaon, Athbiskot, Syalakhadi, Gotamkot, and Purtimkanda VDCs in Rukum, apart from seven VDCs including Kalwat, Dandagoan, Khagenkot, Lahun, Barakot and Ragda in Jajarkot are facing a telecommunication blackout.



These VDCs were using Sky and CDMA systems.



Chandra Bahadur BK of Athbiskot said Nepal Telecom has not shown any interest in repairing the tower despite repeated requests.



It is not only the locals who have been affected. The Nepal Army personnel, Nepal Police personnel, and health posts involved in the construction of the Karnali highway have also been inconvenienced. Meanwhile, Lajim Oli of Jang VDC in Rukum said eight VDCs in the district are facing telecommunication blackout for a week now.

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