New Submarine Cable To Connect Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands

The government on Wednesday approved provision of submarine optical fibre cable connectivity between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands, entailing a cost of Rs 1,072 crore.

By India Times

December 9, 2020

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday approved provision of submarine optical fibre cable connectivity between Kochi and Lakshadweep Islands, entailing a cost of Rs 1,072 crore. The project, approved by the Union Cabinet, entails provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) between Kochi and 11 islands of Lakshadweep — Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Agati, Amini, Androth, Minicoy, Bangaram, Bitra, Chetlat, Kiltan and Kadmat.

“The estimated cost of implementation is about Rs 1,072 crore including operational expenses for 5 years. The project would be funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund,” an official release said.

The project is expected to be completed by May 2023.

State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd has been nominated as project execution agency and Telecommunications Consultant India Ltd (TCIL) as the Technical Consultant of the project to assist Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunications, it said. The ownership of the asset under the project will rest with USOF, the funding agency, under the telecom department.

“Telecommunication connectivity plays vital role in employment generation. The present approval for provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity will vastly improve telecommunication facility in the Lakshadweep Islands by providing large bandwidth,” the release said.

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