PM Modi reiterates Govt’s commitment to speedy development of national security linked border areas & island states

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated the 2300 kilometre submarine optical fibre cable network between Chennai and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Mr Modi said this project is the Union government’s commitment for Ease of living.

Saying this project will boost tourism in the Islands, Prime Minister expressed happiness over completion of the project before deadline. Mr Modi said this is Independence Day gift for the people of Andaman and Nicobar islands .

The Prime Minister said not only the Andaman people will get a big  boost but also sea trade will rise exponentially. Mr Modi said, high speed net in Andaman and Nicobar islands is a big day as the people will get all the benefits of digital India.

Saying connectivity is part of tourism growth, Prime minister emphasised the tourists who will travel to the Islands will also be benefitted by the digital initiative.

The Prime Minister asserted that the Government is committed to the speedy development of national security linked border areas and island states.

He said that the Indian Ocean has been the center of India’s trade and strategic prowess for thousands of years and that Andaman and Nicobar is an important centre for India’s Economic-Strategic Cooperation. He said all the Islands of India would be playing an important role under India’s new trade strategy for Indo-Pacific region.

Mr Modi said 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.

Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad was also present on the occasion.  

This cable project is running 2313 kilometre under-sea between Chennai and Portblair at the cost of Rs. 1,224 Crore.  

 Seven islands of Andaman and Nicobar islands other than Portblair are connected namely Swaraj Dweep, Little Andaman, Car Nicobar, Kamorta, Great Nicobar, Long Island, and Rangat. This will boost digital services like tele-education, tele-health, e-governance services and toursim on the island.