Question : TELEPHONE EXCHANGES

(a) whether several exchanges connected by optical Fibre Cables (OFC) is performing poorly in Bihar;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether number of rural telephone exchanges in the district of Saran, Chapra in Bihar are not functioning properly;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether large number of sanctioned telephone connections are pending due to lack of planning and poor administrative management and scarcity of material;

(f) if so, the details thereof; and
(g) the steps taken by the Government to update and expand the existing telephone exchanges in the State particularly in Chapra district?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)

(a) & (b): No, Sir. Exchanges connected by OFC are generally performing satisfactorily. Sometimes working is affected due to interruptions on OFC route, long power supply interruptions etc.

(c) & (d): Exchanges are working properly. However, problem exists with the exchanges connected on unreliable media like O/H lines etc.

(e) No, Sir.

(f) Not applicable in view of (e) above.

(g) The capacity addition and opening of new telephone exchanges in rural areas is in progress. During the current financial year, additional 2,05,674 lines have already been added and 186 new exchanges have been opened upto 31/1/2001. In Chapra SSA capacity addition upto 31/1/2001 is 7792 and new exchanges opened upto 31/01/2001 is 12.