Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands submarine optical fiber connection (KLI-SOFC) project in Kavaratti, Lakshadweep, on Wednesday fulfilling the assurance given by him in 2020 about ensuring fast internet within 1,000 days.
The KLI-SOFC project, which will lead to an increase in internet speed, is among various developmental projects worth more than Rs 1,150 crore covering a wide range of sectors including technology, energy, water resources, healthcare and education.
“This will improve facilities like government services, medical treatment, education and digital banking. The potential of developing Lakshadweep as a logistics hub will get strength from this,” Modi said.
Administrator of UT of Lakshadweep Praful Patel was present on the occasion among others, as per a statement by the Ministry of Communications.
The project with total link distance of 1,868 kms will play a significant role in achieving the objective of ‘Digital India’ and ‘National Broadband Mission’ and for rolling out of various e-governance projects of Government of India in Lakshadweep Islands.
Submarine cable connectivity from mainland Kochi to 11 Lakshadweep Islands namely Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Chetlet, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Androth, Kiltan, Bangaram and Bitra has been extended. Earlier, communication was through satellite medium with limited bandwidth capacity.
The Rs 1,072 crore worth project is funded by Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF), Department of Telecommunication, and the project executing agency was Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). The work was awarded to NEC Corporation India Pvt Ltd through global open tendering process.
