Form ministerial panel for Meghalaya optical fibre project: DoT

To improve telecom connectivity in the North-East region, Department of Telecom has proposed forming an inter-ministerial panel to expedite work on laying of optical fibre along the Shillong-Tura electric power line.

The Meghalaya government is considering laying optical fibre ground wire (OPGW) along its 208-km long Shillong-Tura high tension electric power line.

The estimated cost of the project is around Rs 22 crore.

"It is requested that an inter-ministerial committee may be formed with the Department of Telecom, Government of Meghalaya and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) to facilitate expediting the project," DoT has written in a letter to the Ministry of DoNER.

The Meghalaya government has also requested that financial support for the project be extended by Ministry of DoNER. DoT is also willing to be involved in the project, sources said.

The Meghalaya government has stated that benefits accrued by putting OPGW will encompass the entire state and also other regions of North East.