Issue of strengthening BSNL services in Himachal raised in Lok Sabha – Demand to address acute staff shortage

21,000 towers planned to improve connectivity in remote and hilly areas, 17,000 towers already installed

BJP MP Suresh Kashyap, during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, prominently raised the issue of telecommunication services in Himachal Pradesh, particularly the BSNL network and staff shortages. He said that Himachal Pradesh is a hilly state where telecommunication services are often affected due to heavy rains, snowfall and natural calamities, and staff have to travel to remote areas on foot to restore services.

MP Kashyap informed the House that there is a huge shortage of technical staff in BSNL in Himachal Pradesh. He provided statistics showing that against 192 posts of Senior Sub-Divisional Officers (SDEs), only 81 are working, against 282 posts of JTOs, only 165 are working, while against 177 posts of JEs, only 110 employees are available. He said that due to this shortage, there are serious difficulties in network maintenance and service restoration in remote areas. He asked the Telecom Minister what concrete steps are being taken to overcome this staff shortage and by when the posts will be filled.

In response, the Union Minister informed the House that for the first time, monthly and quarterly performance reviews of BSNL circles are being conducted. The reviews include both operational and financial parameters, with around 10 key parameters being monitored such as cable cut incidents, average repair time, and BTS uptime. He said the target is to ensure at least 95% uptime and that redeployment and resource adjustments have been allowed where manpower shortages are identified. The target is to achieve 95–99% uptime in most circles in the coming months.

MP Kashyap raised the issue of severe network shortages and the lack of 2G services in many areas of Himachal Pradesh, including his constituency, and questioned the expansion of 5G services. The Minister explained that the Indian government’s goal is to provide world-class connectivity to every citizen, and special schemes are being implemented through the Digital India Fund to ensure connectivity even in economically disadvantaged areas.

He informed that special connectivity plans are in place for difficult geographical areas, including hilly, island, and left-wing extremism-affected areas. Under the “Full Saturation” plan, approximately 3,000 villages across the country have been identified where 21,000 towers are to be installed. Of these, 17,000 towers have been installed so far, and the 100% connectivity target will be achieved soon.

Suresh Kashyap said that ensuring better telecommunication facilities in remote and border areas of Himachal is his priority and he will continue to raise this issue strongly in future also.