PM Modi Launches 2,300-km Submarine Optical Fibre Cable For Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Prime Minister said that the Andaman & Nicobar islands felt the need for years but no step was taken to fulfill it. "Providing better and cheap connectivity to the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is the responsibility of the country," Modi said. The PM also adds that the government is committed to providing modern facilities to every citizen and every sector so that there can be better ease of living.

The move will provide highspeed bandwidth of 2X200 gigabytes per second between Chennai and Port Blair, the capital Andaman and Nicobar (A&N), and then 2X100 gigabytes per second between Port Blair and 7 different islands of A&N.

The PM laid the foundation stone for the project in Port Blair on December 30, 2018, a government statement said. The project stands completed and its inauguration is scheduled on Monday (August 10, 2020). "This optical fiber cable project is a gift for the people of Andaman before Independence Day. This is a symbol of our commitment towards ease of living," especially in improving online education, telemedicine, banking system, online trading, and in boosting tourism - Modi said.

Modi also noted that the government was committed to developing "national security-linked border areas and island states," it stated. The Indian Ocean and the A&N islands had been important centers for trade and strategic cooperation. The A&N Islands have an important role to play in India's "Act-East" policy, he observed. "Under the Act-East policy, Andaman and Nicobar's role in India's strong relations with East Asian countries and other countries associated with the sea is crucial and it is going to increase," he said.

The submarine optical fiber from Chennai to Port Blair that promises 5th generation (5G) connectivity, the latest in cellular wireless technology, to the A&N Islands could be the first step for India to set up an alternative to China for the association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries to gain international connectivity, experts say.

The submarine fiber network is estimated to cost Rs 1,224 crore and a bulk of the fiber being sourced from NEC Corporation Japan, which also provides technical assistance during the installation, said a department of telecommunications (DoT) official. Experts believe that the extension of the cable network could bring in increased opportunities for trade and revenue generation for the country.

Modi said, under the Act-East policy, the role of A&N in India's strong relations with East Asian countries and other countries connected to the sea is very high and is going to increase. The PM said high impact projects are being expanded in the 12 islands of A&N. Apart from providing for better internet and mobile connectivity, he said the effort is to further improve physical connectivity through road, air, and water.

The Port Blair has a capacity of 1,200 passengers. Along with this, the airports are ready for operations in Diglipur, Car Nicobar, and Campbell Bay. He said that the four ships being built at Kochi shipyard will be soon delivered to improve the water connectivity between the islands and the mainland. The islands would be a hub of "port-led development" as they were located at a competitive distance from many other ports.

The PM said that the government's focus is also on promoting ease of business in the sea and simplifying maritime logistics. He referred to the construction of the deep-draft inner harbor and the proposal to construct a transshipment port in Great Nicobar at an estimated cost of about Rs 10,000 crore.

"My congratulations to everyone connected with this project...The cable connectivity between Chennai and Port Blair has begun from today. My greetings to the residents of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for this" added the PM.