Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in its bid to augment its revenue is eyeing to lease out its office space at prime locations in city to Government run utilities in a bid to cut down its losses. Over the years, BSNL built expansive buildings to house its exchanges but with advancement in technology the requirement for space is now quite less. Similarly, the work force of the State-run organisation has also been reduced considerably thereby rendering these wide spaces surplus. Hence, such surplus spaces in its exchange buildings are sought to be leveraged to earn revenue as BSNL struggles to remain in contention in the competitive telecom market.

 

Already some of its existing buildings like the one at Itwari Telephone Exchange have been let out to various Government institutions. Like LIC has taken one entire floor at Itwari Telephone Exchange building, while Forest Department of Maharashtra has rented Laxmi Sanchar Building, opp. Kasturchand Park. BSNL is now further seeking to lease out substantial places at various other exchange buildings in city. Though majority of the locations where space is available for rent falls are in prime commercial areas, BSNL cannot provide those on lease to private parties. Only Government or semi-Government agencies can be given the space on rent as per the rules. This has put limitations on BSNL as it struggles to find takers for its vacant spaces.

 

For example, at VRCE Exchange a very huge space is on offers but since last two years no organisation has evinced any interest in renting the same. BSNL officials said, the advantages of renting out its premises is that organisations would get seamless communication network round the clock. Also all the premises have adequate parking space, 24x7 electricity network and air conditioned units. In fact, the centralised air conditioned halls are ideal for setting-up Call Centres by Information Technology companies of State or Central Government. The city has ample number of State and Central Government establishments and for some of the organisations space is falling short. So instead of going for new construction, the BSNL exchange buildings can be good address for future.

 

All the exchange buildings have good accessibility and are major landmarks of their respective areas and hence there is no question of any lack of visibility and so on. Apart from city, BSNL exchanges buildings in rural areas of Nagpur District too are available for lease ranging from 3 to 5 years. The rent would as per the norms fixed by Central Public Works Department (CPWD). Primarily, LIC, banks, GST and other such organisations can are best suited for renting out BSNL premises. The annual maintenance of buildings would be taken care by BSNL itself. State Government offices are functioning from private buildings and they could very well tap into BSNL premises. The places offered by BSNL are located at Nandanvan, Kalamna, Sakkardara and Nari exchanges, Nari Admn building, Hingna MIDC, VRCE, Koradi, Itwari, CTO Building, Amenity Hall, Office-cum-Godown, Khamla Premises, Wadi Store, RTTC Exchange, Katol Road Telephone Exchange, Regional Telecom Training Centre, Seminary Hills, Bhivapur, Hingna village, Katol, Kondhali, Kuhi, Ramtek, Butibori, Godhni, Mauda, Parsheoni, Patansawangi, Sawargaon, Kalmeshwar and Narkhed telephone exchange buildings.