SHILLONG: The representatives of the vendor which supplies telecom equipment to BSNL, ZTE Corporation (Chinese Telecommunication Company based in Kolkata), visited the damaged BSNL warehouse at Mawlai Mawiong on Tuesday to conduct an assessment of the total losses incurred following the fire incident on Sunday.
Though the supplier company has roughly estimated losses to the tune of Rs 20 crore, the exact amount can be ascertained only after the final assessment is completed within two to three days.
Talking to The Shillong Times, sources from the ZTE Company said, “The quantity of equipment destroyed in the fire is yet to be known as not all the equipment stored in the warehouse belongs to ZTE but other companies as well,” he said adding that the warehouse is being shared by many suppliers and maintained by a local logistics company for the past seven years.
The ZTE officials also met the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police and lodged a complaint besides presenting the details of the loss.
According to sources from ZTE even though the materials have been handed over to BSNL, as per the tender clause the company (ZTE) is also responsible for the upkeep of the materials.
ZTE has been supplying the materials to BSNL for the past three months for the corporation’s project (Phase 7/BSNL expansion plans in the State).
The arson attack on the BSNL warehouse would lead to a delay in roll out of the mobile expansion proposed to be laid down for the whole State and the ZTE representatives have declined to comment on how much time it would take to get the project going.
“This could be decided only after the final assessment is completed after which we would be in a position to sit across the table and discuss the matter with the BSNL officials. We hope the project starts rolling out as soon as possible and we will be doing our best to arrange for additional equipment,” a ZTE representative said.
According to sources from ZTE even though the materials have been handed over to BSNL, as per the tender clause the company (ZTE) is also responsible for the upkeep of the materials.
Earlier, senior BSNL officials informed that the corporation will seek assistance from the vendors and try to get additional equipment as soon as possible to make up for the loss.