Govt plans to spend Rs. 800 cr on undersea cable link to Andamans.

To improve telecommunications connectivity with the distant Andaman and Nicobar, located about 1,000km from Chennai, the government has proposed an undersea cable link to the Union territory's nine main islands at an estimated cost of Rs. 800 crore.

The project will be implemented by Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corp. Ltd., through the ministry of home affairs, with technical expertise to be provided by the department of telecommunications, according to an internal memo on the proposal reviewed by Mint.

The project will likely cost a lot more than the Rs. 800 crore envisaged as the cable will have to connect all nine major islands of the Andaman and Nicobar administration, the note said.

Connecting the island is key to India's strategic initiatives in the area.

LIVEMINT