Restore quake-hit telecom network in Bihar, UP: Ravi Shankar Prasad to DoT

NEW DELHI: Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has asked DoT Secretary Rakesh Garg to take stock of the damage to telecom network in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh due to the earthquake and initiate measures to restore the network.

" Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has instructed the Telecom Secretary Garg to take stock of the damage done to the communication network in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh due to earthquake and initiate measures to restore network in both private and public sector at the earliest," an official statement said.

The statement added Chief General Managers of BSNL in Bihar and UP have been directed to assess damage and draw emergency plans to restore communication in the affected areas.

"Instructions have also been given to inform the Minister on hourly bases on the progress achieved," it added. A high-intensity quake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, with epicentre in Nepal, today rocked many parts of East and North India, including Delhi. The tremors, which were felt in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, lasted for a minute, triggering panic and forcing people to rush out of their houses and offices. pti