PM Modi launches Optic Fibre Link connecting Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland

On August 15, 2020, PM Modi announced the Optic Fibre Linking of Lakshadweep Islands with the mainland during his address at the 74th celebrations of Independence Day.

Highlights

The undersea Optical Fibre Cable link to be established between Lakshadweep and the mainland is second in the country. The first of its kind was established between Chennai and Port Blair.

The Lakshadweep Undersea project is to be completed in 1,000 days. It will help to boost communication between India and Lakshadweep. The Department of Telecommunications is to implement the project. The cable will boost internet speed up to 400 Giga Bytes per second. Also, it will boost 4G mobile services and digital services such as e-governance, tele-education, tourism, tele-health in the islands.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The Chennai-Port Blair Optic Fibre Link is to be implemented at a cost of Rs 1,224 crores in the Andaman Islands. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are important to mount pressure on China. This is especially important at the current situation as India-China border issues are becoming bitter. India expects China to make similar move in the Indian Ocean Region as made in the Ladakh border. Therefore, it is preparing itself to counter Chinese moves. This is being done by strengthening Defence Systems in the islands by providing high speed network connenctivity.

The strategic location of Andaman Islands makes it important for India to secure its maritime borders. It sits at the mouth of Malacca Strait, one of the busiest trade routes. This is the main reason for India to set up its tri-service command in the Andamans in 2001.

Lakshadweep

Just like Andaman, the Lakshadweep also has its strategic importance. As India is expanding its maritime horizons in both western and eastern sides of Indian Ocean, the island has received increased attention. Also, with the new naval base Karwar (on the west coast of India), the islands are to be used to strengthen India’s command in the western Indian Ocean.

Though Lakshadweep falls under the southern Naval Command, Kochi it is to closely work with Karwar Naval Base.

Karwar Naval base is located in the state of Karnataka, very close to the border of Goa. River Kali flows close by to the base.


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