Andamans to achieve normalcy in 72 hrs

NEW DELHI: Restoration of communication facilities in the Tsunami affected areas of the Andaman & Nicobar Island areas are in full swing and near normalcy will be achieved within 72 hours.

According to a press communiqué, a total number of 28 Terminals of INMARSAT have been made available for providing point-to-point connection in the Island.

In addition to this, Ministry of Home Affairs has also provided 15 terminals of INMARSAT. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has put in operation one INMARSAT at Kamorta. At Shivapuram, the telephone exchange in the middle group of Andaman Island has been restored.

One MCPC (Multi-Channel Per Carrier) satellite equipment has been airlifted to Car Nicobar. Further, one 256 lines exchange and one INMARSAT terminal are being airlifted to Campbell Bay. The communication facilities at Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay are expected to be operational by tomorrow. Besides this, seven more 256 Port (Lines) Exchanges are being airlifted to Port Blair for installation in the affected areas.

For installation of INMARSAT terminals, a BSNL team has left by ship to Katchal and Terassa Islands. The team will also sail to Kamorta and install one more INMARSAT. These INMARSATs will be operational by Sunday.

Meanwhile, the minister of state for communications and IT Shakeel Ahmad has reached Port Blair. He will be visiting the Tsunami affected areas of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and oversee the relief and restoration work.