BSNL suffers Rs 20 cr loss in BRTS groundwork

Indore: BSNL suffered Rs 20 crore loss in the form of damage to its cables and thefts over last five years under the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS) which is nearing completion, a top officer said today.

"BSNL suffered loss of Rs 20 crore in the last five years during various digging works carried out by various agencies involved in the project, including Indore Municipal Corporation", said Division Manager (Indore) GC Pandey.[caption id="attachment_694017" align="alignleft" width="380"]

Problem for BSNL. Reuters[/caption]

The Indore BRTS project started in 2007 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). It involves the participation of the Governments of India and Madhya Pradesh, and the World Bank.

Pandey said BSNL has written letters seeking compensation to various agencies involved besides a private mobile service provider in this connection but yet to get reply.

He said underground cables laid by BSNL got damaged when the agencies involved digged up roads for the project.

BRTS covers 11.465 km in the city and is likely to be operational by May.

Pandey said BSNL recovered Rs 4 crore out of total dues of Rs 22 crore from its customers in FY13.

PTI