Landlines are still the lifeline of the city’s business and civil life because they are cheaper than mobile communication.
Al-Hamra, one of the posh districts of the city, is bearing the brunt of damage caused by the latest rains.
Arab News found two telecom workers on the district’s Al-Ma’adi Street on Tuesday. These two men, Aadil Nisar of Pakistan and Bhim of Nepal, were busy troubleshooting to reconnect homes in the district.
According to Nisar, a technician with Al-Qarni Establishment, which is subcontracted by STC, the manhole they were working in was opened at 11 a.m. Till 5 p.m. they had only been able to fix 750 out of 900 lines. Only after fixing the remaining lines would they be able to go home.
“Usually, even a 10-hour duty is not sufficient to achieve the target and we have to work extra hours besides our regular duty,” said Nisar, who has been working in the Kingdom for more than a decade.
The workers’ lives are not as easy as other electricians due to occupational hazards. Some manholes also contain toxic gas or low-volt currents. When working in a manhole, the lid is kept open for half-an hour to clear the air before the workers enter.
After receiving complaints, the workers visit districts, locate faults and then measure distances to manholes to repair problems. In the aftermath of heavy rains and storms, these men work day and night to give residents peace of mind.
