New Delhi: The inland cable connectivity facility (OFC) between Chennai and Port Blair was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi through video conferencing. The foundation stone of this project was laid by PM Modi on 30 December 2018 in Port Blair. During this time, PM Modi said that whether studying online, earning from tourism, banking, shopping or tele-medicine medicine, now thousands of Andaman and Nicobar families will get all these facilities online. Today, the tourists visiting the Andaman will get huge benefit of the facility. Improved net connectivity has become the number one priority of any tourist destination today.
PM Modi said that the bigger this project was, the greater were the challenges. This was also one of the reasons that despite the need for this facility for years, it could not be worked out, but I am glad that this work was done by removing all the obstacles. The completion of this work of laying of cables for about 2300 kilometers within the sea, is itself very admirable. It is not so easy to conduct deep sea survey, maintain the quality maintenance of the cable, and lay the cable through special ships.
A symbol of our commitment to the Ease of Living
During this time, PM Modi also said that this optical fiber project connecting Andaman and Nicobar to the rest of the country and the world is a symbol of our commitment to Ease of Living. From Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman and Port Blair to Swaraj Island, the service has started in a large part of Andaman and Nicobar from today. Today is not only important for the millions of companions living in dozens of islands of Andaman and Nicobar, it is also important for the whole country. Greeting Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, I had the opportunity to launch the Submarine Optical Fiber Cable Connectivity Project about one and a half years ago.
Physical connectivity through road, air and water is also being strengthened.
During this time, PM Modi also said that high impact projects are being expanded in 12 islands of Andaman and Nicobar. A major problem of mobile and internet connectivity has been resolved today. Apart from this, physical connectivity through road, air and water is also being strengthened. To strengthen the road connectivity of North and Middle Andaman, two major bridges and NH-4 widening are being worked on at a rapid pace. To increase water connectivity between the island and the rest of the country, the 4 ships being built at Kochi Shipyard will also be delivered in the coming months.
Bridging our distance
During this time, PM Modi also said that our dedication has been that every citizen of the country, Delhi and heartland of every region should be bridged. Our dedication has been that, every person of the country should reach every area with modern facilities, make their life easier. The Indian Ocean has been the center of India’s trade and strategic prowess for thousands of years. Now that India is following the new policy and practice of trade and cooperation in Indo-Pacific, the importance of our islands including Andaman and Nicobar has increased. He also said that under the Act-East Policy, Andaman and Nicobar’s role in India’s strong relations with East Asian countries and other countries connected to the sea is very high and it is going to grow continuously. To strengthen this role of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in New India, Island Development Agency was formed 3 years ago. Today you are seeing that the projects that were not completed in Andaman and Nicobar years and years are now being completed rapidly.
It is very important to strengthen the network of waterways and ports
PM Modi also said during this time that Andaman and Nicobar is located at a very short distance from many ports of the world. Today, when India is moving forward with the resolve of self-sufficiency. As a global manufacturing hub, seeking to establish itself as an important player in the global supply and value chain, it is imperative to strengthen our waterways and ports network. The legal bottlenecks in the development of the port infrastructure are also being removed continuously. He also said that the government’s focus is on promoting the Edge of Business in the sea and simplifying maritime logistics. Once this port is ready, big ships will also be able to stay here. This will increase India’s share in maritime trade, provide new opportunities to our youth. I hope, our efforts today, in this decade, to Andaman and Nicobar, to the people there,
Special day for Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Prior to the inauguration of the project, PM Modi tweeted that today, August 10 is a special day for my brothers and sisters of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He interacted with BJP workers from Andaman and Nicobar Islands through a video conference in the presence of BJP President JP Nadda on Sunday. He said that high-speed broadband connectivity will help the people of Andaman and Nicobar to connect with other parts of the country. This will allow everyone to take advantage of all types of online services amidst the epidemic.
