Inauguration of Submarine Optical Fibre Connectivity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands – All India Radio (AIR) IAS UPSC

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Inauguration of Submarine Optical Fibre Connectivity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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TOPIC: General Studies 3

• Technology and Government Policies

In News: India’s first-ever undersea optical fibre cable has been introduced as part of a new project for Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The cable system will help provide for faster internet speeds and get rid of the cobweb of wires needed for the same.

• The submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) connects Andaman & Nicobar Islands (laying of the 2300 Kms submarine cable)

Benefits of undersea optical fibre cable

• Get 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
• Under the Act-East policy, the role of Andaman and Nicobar 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 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 would enable big ships to anchor and would increase India’s share in maritime trade, along with new employment opportunities.
• The blue economy like Fisheries, Aquaculture and SeaWeed farming in the island will accelerate in commensurate with the modern infrastructure being developed in Andaman and Nicobar.

Other upcoming development in Andaman and Nicobar

Apart from providing for better internet and mobile connectivity, the effort is to further improve physical connectivity through road, air and water.

• 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. 
• The four ships being built at Kochi shipyard will be soon delivered to improve the water connectivity between the islands and the mainland. A&N will be developed as a hub of port led development as it is at a competitive distance from many ports of the World.

The challenges for the project

• Surveying in the deep sea
• Maintaining the quality of the cable
• Laying of the cable with specialised vessels
• High waves, storms and monsoons
• The tough times owing to Corona Pandemic

Connecting the Dots:

1. Geo-strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands