Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 21July 2023
The residents, businesses, and stakeholders of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been informed about an upcoming temporary shutdown of Segment-1 (Chennai – Port Blair link) of the CANI Submarine Cable. The disruption is due to the ongoing construction work of an underground Metro Station at the Chennai, Mandaveli junction, undertaken by the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL).
According to the announcement, the CANI Submarine Cable Segment-1, responsible for connecting Chennai to Port Blair, will experience a temporary shutdown during the night hours of 29th July 2023, starting from 8:00 PM, and will continue until 10:00 AM on 30th July 2023. The approximate downtime will last for 14 hours. The concerned authorities assure the public that every effort will be made to minimise the downtime window as much as possible. However, during this period, high-speed internet services will be affected.
To mitigate the impact of this disruption and ensure uninterrupted communication, the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have already been advised to make alternate arrangements on their end. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has taken necessary measures to maintain essential services like 2G mobile and landline connections through satellite medium during the temporary shutdown.
The construction of the underground Metro Station at Chennai’s Mandaveli junction is crucial for improving the city’s public transportation infrastructure. The alternate land cable path being constructed has necessitated the temporary shutdown of the CANI Submarine Cable Segment-1 to ensure the safety and successful execution of the project.
This temporary disruption is expected to impact various businesses, residents, and stakeholders in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who rely on high-speed internet connectivity for various essential services. However, the timely communication of the shutdown will allow stakeholders to plan and make necessary arrangements to minimise the inconvenience.
As the scheduled date approaches, residents and businesses in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are urged to stay informed about the temporary shutdown and follow updates from their respective telecom service providers for any further instructions or arrangements during the downtime.
For further updates and information on the status of the CANI Submarine Cable Segment-1 during the scheduled shutdown, residents can contact their respective telecom service providers or visit official channels provided by the authorities.