According to DoT General Manager Rakesh Babu, approximately 3000 telephones currently working from Fatehgunj Exchange (level 48, 78 and 79) will be transferred to the Nizampura Exchange (level 77) in a phased manner. ``We have already transferred 1500 lines, while the work on the remaining is likely to be completed by the month-end,'' Babu told Express Newsline on Wednesday.

The balance capacity of the Nizampura Exchange as well as the spare capacity in Fatehgunj will be utilised to release new telephone connections. Babu said the additional capacity would enable the department to clear the waiting list upto September 31, approximately constituting 4000 lines. ``New connections for all wait-listed upto March '98 will be gradually released by March '99 while the waiting list beyond March '98 is likely to be cleared by June '99,'' Babu added.

With a view to keep a distinct numbering scheme for the Fatehgunj and Nizampura Exchanges, the department proposes to change the existing numbers beginning with `48' to `78' by October or November '98.

Meanwhile, as announced last month, the DoT has also expanded the capacity of the Makarpura Exchange by 6000 lines. The additional capacity will be utilised to take over approximately 2000 lines in the triangular area presently being served by City Exchanges (level 41, 42 and 43) and the remaining capacity will be utilised to provide new telephone connections from the Makarpura Exchange. The department also plans to clear the Non-OYT-General category waiting list upto March '98 in Makarpura but the new phones are likely to be gradually provided by March '99.