Indian Army, BSNL to facilitate extension of 3G internet services in border areas of Arunachal

GUWAHATI: In Arunachal Pradesh Indian Army and the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is facilitating extension of 3G internet services in the border areas.
Arunachal Pradesh shares a border with China and Bhutan.

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein had reviewed the status of the project. Mein expressed happiness on the progress made so far despite the difficult terrains and inclement weather and lauded the efforts of Indian Army and the BSNL in the developments.

He urged them to expedite the process saying that it is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide internet connectivity to the remote and far-flung areas as envisaged in his Digital India Mission.

He further said, “Internet connectivity has become a necessity during this COVID-19 pandemic as we have to rely on digital communication in order to maintain social distancing and minimize physical meeting to contain the spread of Coronas virus. Due to difficult terrain and disruption of surface road communications by landslides triggered by heavy downpour of rains in various places, it has become more essential to have internet connectivity particularly in remote and border areas".

He further said to ask all the Deputy Commissioners to coordinate with the Indian Army and the BSNL in this regard to expedite the implementation. In the Video Conferencing, ways and means to connect OFC from Chongkham to Tezu via Alubari Bridge and from Roing to Anini were also discussed.

Major General, Sanjiv Chauhan, General Officer Commanding (HQ), 2 Mountain Division, Dinjan has assured to expedite the process and continued to share and update the status of the progress made with the State Government from time to time.

Colonel Milan Patnaik, Commanding Officer, 2 Mountain Division Signal Regiment while updating the detail status of the progress made so far has informed that the inclement weather and blockade in surface road communication in some sectors have delayed progress of works. However, he informed that the civil administration and the police can avail their V-Sat Services in remote places like Kibithoo, Walong, Chaklagham and Anini for disaster management and other administrative services.