Kabbinale: The village without mobile network

Team Udayavani, Mar 13, 2019, 11:11 AM IST

Kundapur: The present situation is such that the lack of network for a mere 5 minutes makes one quite uncomfortable. But Kabbinale, Devarabalu are two inaccessible villages in Udupi district’s naxal affected areas which have remained devoid of network since years together.

The people have to travel a distance of 5 kms to make a call. That too, only for BSNL network. For other private networks, a minimum distance of 7 kms must be covered for a signal. If one part of the world is progressing towards 5G, this is the situation in Kabbinale, Devarabalu, Kattinadi, Karebailu villages in Hallihole grama of Byndoor taluk.

5 kms for 1 call!

Those with BSNL SIMs in Kabbinale and Devarabalu villages have to travel to Chakra Maidan which is located at a distance of 5 kms to make a call. The remaining people who use other private company SIMs must travel a distance of 7 kms to the market at Hallihole to witness the signal in their mobiles.

How far?

These villages are located at a distance of 7 kms from Hallihole, 20 kms from Siddapur, 40 kms from Kundapur and 48 kms from Byndoor which is the taluks centre.

How many homes?

Located on the foothills of the Western Ghats there almost 40 houses in Kabbinale, 35 in Devarabalu, 25 in Kattinadi, 60 in Karebail and thus there are altogether more than 160 houses whose occupants are suffering due to the lack of  mobile network.

Naxal affected villages

2 naxals were shot dead in an encounter at Devarabalu in 2005 and a cultivator lost his life due to a naxal attack in 2008. These villages are known to the outer world because of this. Although there is no much naxal activity here now, the fear still persists.

29 landlines

There are 6 landlines in Kabbinale, 4 in Devarabalu, 7 in Kattinadi, 12 in Karebail and other telephones. Of the 160 houses here, every house has at least 2 mobile phones and in some houses there are mobiles everywhere, only network in missing.

People can submit an application

“2-3 persons from Kabbinale and Devarabalu regions can submit applications to BSNL Mangaluru regional office demanding the requirement of a BSNL tower there. They also need to mention the mobile numbers of the BSNL users in the area. The issue on the problem being faced by the people due to lack of network will be inspected and action will be taken,” informed Vijayalaxmi Acharya, DGM, BSNL Udupi

No use even after submission

“If someone suffers a medical emergency and if a vehicle is required then one is compelled to go and get it. There is no network to make a call. Though a request was made to the representatives of the people it was to no avail. If a tower is constructed anywhere in this region it will be very useful and convenient for the people of Devarabalu, Kabbinale and Karebail,” says Ganesh Kabbinale, a local

Article by Prashant Pade translated into English by Aaron Dmello