Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated 2300 kilometre submarine optical fibre cable network between Chennai and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In his address Modi said this project is Union government’s commitment for Ease of living and will boost tourism in the Islands. He said not only Andaman people will get a big boost but also sea trade will rise exponentially. Prime Minister said the Andaman and Nicobar Islands felt the need for years but no steps were taken to fulfil it and said providing better and cheap connectivity to the people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is the responsibility of the country.
He said the Government is committed to the speedy development of national security linked border areas and island states. The Prime Minister 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.
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.This cable project is running 2313 kilometre under-sea between Chennai and Portblair at the cost of rupees 1 thousand 2 hundred 24 Crore.
