Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 10, 2020, launched and dedicated to the nation the submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connecting Andaman & Nicobar Islands to the mainland through video conferencing. The foundation stone for this project was laid by the PM on December 30, 2018, at Port Blair. PM Modi said the connectivity would now enable endless opportunities in the islands. He said the laying of the 2,300 km submarine cable and completing it before the set target is praise worthy.
The Prime Minister said that service had begun today on a major chunk of the islands from Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman, and Port Blair to Swaraj Island. He said providing better and cheap connectivity to the people of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is the responsibility of the country. He congratulated all those who were associated with the project. PM Modi said the Submarine Cable is one such effort to prove that A & N Islands are not far away from Delhi and from the Hearts of the Mainland, according to a PIB release.
Modi said that the Government is committed to provide modern facilities to every citizen and every sector so that there can be a better ease of living. He said this Optical Fibre Project which links A&N Islands with the rest of the country is an example of the commitment of the Government towards ease of living.
The Prime Minister said the Submarine Cable will help A&N in getting cheaper & better connectivity and all the benefits of Digital India, especially in improving online education, tele-medicine, banking system, online trading and in boosting tourism. He said that the Indian Ocean has been the center of India’s trade and strategic prowess for thousands of years and that Andaman & Nicobar is an important centre for India’s Economic-Strategic Cooperation.
The PM said that High Impact Projects are being expanded in 12 islands of Andaman and Nicobar. Apart from providing for better internet & mobile connectivity, he said the effort is to further improve physical connectivity through road, air and water. He referred to the work on two major bridges and the NH-4 to improve the road connectivity of North and Middle Andaman. He said the Port Blair Airport is being enhanced to handle a Capacity of 1,200 passengers. Along with this the airports are ready for operations in Diglipur, Car Nicobar, and Campbell – Bay.
Modi said the Passenger Terminal in Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island along with Water Aerodrom Infrastructure like Floating Jetty will be ready in the coming months. He said that the four Ships being built at Kochi Shipyard shall be delivered soon to improve the Water connectivity between the islands and the mainland.
The PM said Andaman & Nicobar will be developed as an hub of Port Led Development as it is at a Competitive Distance from many ports of the World. Modi said that the legal bottlenecks in the development of Port Infrastructure are also being removed continuously.
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 speedy construction of the deep draft inner harbor and the proposal to construct TransShipment Port in Great Nicobar at an estimated cost of about Rs 10 thousand crores. Modi said this would enable big ships to anchor and would increase India’s share in maritime trade, along with new employment opportunities.