Submarine Cable Connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Submarine cable connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Part of: GS Prelims and Mains II and III – Govt policies and initiatives; Infrastructure;  

Context: 

• PM launched submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) which connects Andaman & Nicobar Islands to the mainland. 
• The project will lay 2300 Kms submarine cable, connects major chunk of the islands from Chennai to Port Blair, Port Blair to Little Andaman and Port Blair to Swaraj Island. 

Benefits: 

• The connectivity would now enable endless opportunities in the islands 
• Provide modern facilities to every citizen and every sector  
• Ease of living to improve 
• Speedy development of national security 
• Cheaper & better connectivity 
• Enjoy all benefits of Digital India –  improving online education, tele-medicine, banking system, online trading and in boosting tourism 
• Would boost Act-East policy and India’s Economic-Strategic Cooperation 

Map activity – 

• Locate important places – Car Nicobar; Campbell – Bay; Port Blair; Swaraj Island; Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep and Long Island etc. 

Other measures: 

Apart from providing for better internet & mobile connectivity, efforts are being made to improve physical connectivity through road, air and water. 

• Enhancing capacity of Port Blair Airport 
• Water Aerodrome Infrastructure  
• 4 Ships being built at Kochi Shipyard to improve the Water connectivity 
• Port Led Development 
• Speedy construction of the deep draft inner harbor and the proposal to construct TransShipment Port in Great Nicobar  
• Development of modern infrastructure to accelerate blue economy like Fisheries, Aquaculture and SeaWeed farming