Lok Sabha Question No. 911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: KLI-SOFC Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Bhola Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 911 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## KLI-SOFC PROJECT

## 911. SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR: SHRI BHOLA SINGH: SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK: DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands Submarine Optical Fibre Connection (KLI - SOFC) project has been completed and dedicated to people by the Government recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it will ensure 100 times faster Internet for the people of Lakshadweep and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether for the first time since independence, Lakshadweep has been able to be connected through Submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  dedicated  submarine  OFC  will  ensure  a  paradigm  shift  in  communication infrastructure  in  the  Lakshadweep  islands,  enabling  faster  and  more  reliable  internet  services, telemedicine, e-governance, educational initiatives, digital banking, digital currency usage, digital literacy, etc.; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof including the steps being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) The  Kochi-Lakshadweep  Islands  (KLI)  Submarine  Cable  project  was  inaugurated  by  the Hon'ble Prime Minister on Jan 3, 2024. Submarine cable connectivity has now been provided from Mainland (Kochi) to eleven Lakshadweep Islands namely, Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Kadmat, Chetlet, Kalpeni, Minicoy, Androth, Kiltan, Bangaram and Bitra through this project.
- (b) Lakshadweep Islands were earlier connected to mainland  only  through  satellite. With  the commissioning  of  Kochi-Lakshadweep  Islands  (KLI)  Submarine  Cable  project,  Lakshadweep Islands are now connected to mainland through submarine OFC bandwidth of 200 Gbps.
- (c) Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands (KLI) Submarine Cable project was completed within 1000 days of  announcement  of  the  project  by  Hon'ble  Prime  Minister  Shri  Narendra  Modi  Ji  in  his  74th Independence Day (2020) Speech. The project has been completely funded by the Government of India with a total outlay of Rs.1072 crore (excluding taxes).

(d) Submarine OFC connecting Lakshadweep Islands to mainland will act as the backbone for all existing and future expansion of telecom connectivity in Lakshadweep Islands. This will enable faster internet services through mobile networks and FTTH broadband services. This will help in boosting tourism and create new employment opportunities. The project will play a significant role in achieving the objective of 'Digital India' and 'National Broadband Mission'.

(e) The bandwidth created under the Kochi-Lakshadweep Islands (KLI) Submarine Cable project will be available to Telecom Service Providers. 5353 internet connections through optical fibre have already  been  provided  in  Lakshadweep  Islands  through  this.  Government  has  sanctioned  37  4G mobile towers in Lakshadweep. 5G services have also been launched in Lakshadweep by using the bandwidth provided by (KLI) Submarine Cable project.

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