R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (EP)

Karkala, Dec 2: Fulfilling a long-pending demand for better mobile connectivity at Attur St Lawrence Minor Basilica, the office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi directed the officials concerned to build a mobile tower in the area. Accordingly, a temporary mobile tower is being built near the shrine and a blueprint for a permanent tower is being prepared.

The Minor Basilica, situated in Nitte gram panchayat limits, five kilometers away from Karkala town, has been facing mobile connectivity problems. Parish priest Fr George D'Souza had submitted several written requests to elected representatives and officials time and again in this regard. He had also written to union minister of telecommunications Manoj Sinha on August 21 this year but there was no response.

Finally, Fr George D'Souza addressed a letter to Prime Minister Modi on September 2. The Prime Minister's office (PMO) immediately responded to the letter and asked the officials of the department concerned to take action. Fr George received a reply to his letter informing him of the developments within seven days.

Thereafter, BSNL Mangaluru division head Ravi wrote a letter to the parish priest in which he promised to solve the problem soon. Work began on the construction of a temporary mobile tower a few days ago. The blueprint for a permanent mobile tower is prepared. Also, two landline phones which were not working have been repaired and optical fibre cables have been laid.

It may be recalled that Airtel had erected a temporary tower in January this year after the issue was highlighted in the media.