Worried About Mobile Network Post Cyclone Fani? Here's A Big Relief

Bhubaneswar: Among major sectors in Puri, Khurda and Cuttack districts badly affected by the severe cyclonic storm 'Fani', Telecommunication infrastructure is one which also suffered a massive damage. For those who are still waiting for mobile network, it's time to jump in joy.

In a major relief for the denizens, all mobile networks- BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Jio have merged to give uninterrupted service in Cyclone affected areas in Odisha.

The Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL), through a tweet today informed that any available mobile network can now be used by searching mobile network manually in Settings and activating Data Roaming for Internet. "Cyclone Fani alert: Now you can use any available mobile network by searching mobile network manually in Settings. Turn Data Roaming for Internet. Now all mobile network BSNL, Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, Jio have merged to give uninterrupted serving in Cyclone affected areas in Odisha." tweeted BSCL.

Later in the day, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan held a meeting with the senior officials of BSNL, Jio, Airtel, Vodafone and other telecom infra companies and reviewed the status of ongoing restoration of telecomunication services in Fani hit areas.

Following the review meeting, Pradhan informed that Mobile Cell Sites are being pressed in services to restore telecommunication services in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack.

"Four major telecom companies will bring as many as 50 COW (Cell On Wheels) Towers or Vehicle Mounted Towers to Odisha to restore network coverage completely. I have assured the telecom service providers of all co-operation and uninterrupted supply of fuel to speed up restoration services at their mobile tower locations," informed Pradhan while briefing media about the review meeting.

"Four major telecom companies will bring COW (Cell On Wheels) towers to #Odisha to restore network coverage completely," says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while briefing about the review meeting held today #CycloneFaniAftermath pic.twitter.com/0uhotOdPw3

— OTV (@otvnews) May 8, 2019

As per sources, these COW Towers would be set up within 2-3 days for better service at major areas.

Requested the officials to work on a war footing to restore mobile telephony, Internet services in Puri. Also urged the telecom companies to shoulder additional responsibility in providing seamless telecommunication services to the people of Odisha in this hour of crisis. pic.twitter.com/lCqJy3ODs1

— Chowkidar Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 8, 2019

Pradhan also mentioned about PM Modi inquiring about the ongoing restoration work in Odisha during a phone call this morning.