THATTA, Oct 7: Hundreds of telephone subscribers, linked mainly through eight major telephone exchanges of the district, have been facing countless problems for a couple of months , because of unrelenting disruption, technical faults and administrative irregularities.

A cautious survey conducted by this correspondent reveals that about two hundred telephone connections are lying idle in Sujawal town, which is facilitated through an 800-line digital exchange. Being sub-divisional headquarters and a reputed trade centre, the town has been adversely affected by this interruption in communication.

In the twin towns of Thatta and Makli respectively, a 400-line ZTE telephone exchange and a 1200-line Alkatel exchange are functioning in about the same fashion. Groups of subscribers are often found running from pillar to post for restoration of their telephone lines.

Moreover, cable lines are lying scattered and unattended on the National Highway, in front of the Thatta Press Club, main Bazaar Chowk and other places. Insiders suggested that some vested interests were paving the way for private telephone companies.

Telephone exchanges of the coastal towns of Jati and Chuhar Jamali remained idle during the recent cyclone and heavy rains, reportedly, because of non-availability of batteries. Generators installed in these exchanges are lying faulty since months owing to lack of maintenance.

In the Daro exchange, which is meant for the entire taluka, operating as well as supervising staff are often found absent, resulting in constant failure of the communication system.

When contacted, PTCL Bin Qasim divisional engineer Abdul Rehman Shaikh said that because of the recent rains, the underground system was submerged, which caused massive faults in the company's installations as well as communication network. The system was being streamlined expeditiously, he added.

It may also be noted that the telegraph system set up at the telegraph office, is also lying inoperative for the last four years. Moreover, the fax machine is also said to go out of order every other day.