Mohali suffers in absence of Internet service

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, April 2

Following suspension of mobile Internet services due to the ‘Bharat Bandh’ call on Monday, thousands of residents faced inconvenience here.

Those, who use radio cabs, credit/debit cards and other payments mode connected with mobile Internet services, were mainly at the receiving end.

Dr Amanjot, who had to go to Nawanshahr on Monday, was quite upset as he was unable to book a radio cab. “I am unable to book an outstation radio cab for myself. There is also no bus service available here today. I don’t know what to do,” said Dr Amanjot while standing at the old bus stand at Phase VIII.

Similarly, another local resident Ritu Kumari, who had to go to Panchkula, was at the receiving end. “I usually travel by radio cabs. Today, I had to go to Panchkula for an important work. I could not get a radio cab due to suspension of mobile internet services in Mohali. The public transport was also off road today,” said Ritu Kumari.

Sunil, a radio cab driver, said his business suffered a lot due to the bandh call today. “It was a very lean day for all of us (radio cab drivers) here. Most of us were sitting idle as there was virtually no work,” he added.

Similarly, the suspension of mobile internet services also caused inconvenience to people who use credit/debit cards or other online payment modes. “It was a long weekend and a number of ATMs were not having cash today. Moreover, the credit/debit card machines were also not functioning in Mohali. I had to return empty handed from a grocery shop as the shopkeeper’s credit/debit card machine was not working,” said Gurdeep Singh, a Sector 70 resident.

Rameen Kumar, who runs a chemist shop here, said he had to return a number of customers, who intended to use credit/debit cards for their purchases.