Chennai Deep Sea Fishermen Grapple with BSNL Satellite Phone Service Woes
Deep sea fishing vessel owners in Chennai are expressing growing concern over persistent problems with BSNL satellite phone services. These phones, distributed by the government six years ago to ensure emergency communication during fishing expeditions, are now plagued by operational hurdles that threaten their effectiveness.
SIM Replacement Delays and Soaring Recharge Costs
One of the primary issues highlighted by the fishing community is the difficulty in replacing damaged SIM cards. B Muthukumar, secretary of the deep sea fishing boat owners' association, shared his recent ordeal when his SIM card got damaged and he found himself unable to secure a replacement through official channels.
Compounding this problem is the dramatic increase in recharge costs over the past five years. When the satellite phones were initially provided, the monthly top-up charge was 1,800 rupees, which included a talk time value of 800 rupees. This was later hiked to 3,965 rupees with a talk time value of 1,800 rupees. Alarmingly, the top-up charge has now surged to 4,131 rupees, while the talk time value has drastically plummeted to just 360 rupees.
Limited Functionality and Dependence on Private Providers
Adding to the frustration, these satellite phones are equipped with only an 'outgoing' facility, limiting their utility in emergency situations where incoming calls might be critical. A Arulkumar, a boat owner, pointed out that BSNL does not offer direct services for SIM card replacements or recharging for these satellite phones.
"Due to this lack of support, we are forced to rely on private service providers even for basic tasks like BSNL phone top-ups, which further escalates our operational costs," Arulkumar explained.
BSNL's Response and Official Silence
When contacted for clarification, B Venkataravanaiah, BSNL's public relations officer, asserted that there are no issues regarding the replacement of SIM cards for these devices. However, this statement contrasts sharply with the experiences reported by the fishing community.
Attempts to reach Thirunageswaran, the assistant director of the fisheries department in Kasimedu, for an official comment were unsuccessful, as he was not available to address the concerns raised by the fishermen.
Lifesaving Devices Amidst Operational Challenges
Despite these ongoing issues, the satellite phones have proven to be invaluable lifesaving tools. Before their introduction, the fishing community witnessed five to six fishermen going missing every year, and approximately half a dozen cases of boats drifting away due to cyclones were reported annually. These distressing incidents have seen a significant reduction since the deployment of the satellite phones, underscoring their critical role in enhancing safety at sea.
The deep sea fishing community in Chennai now finds itself in a precarious position, balancing the undeniable safety benefits of these devices against the mounting operational challenges and costs associated with their maintenance.
