Vikramaditya
Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 19: Mr. Gagandeep Singh Grewal has submitted a representation to the Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, highlighting the serious inconvenience being faced by the residents of Great Nicobar Island and the entire Nicobar District due to the disruption of 4G internet services for the past one month.
The letter points out that the 4G network of BSNL and other service providers has remained non-functional throughout the district, with only 2G connectivity temporarily available. However, the 2G network is extremely slow and inadequate for essential communications and online operations.
This prolonged disruption has severely affected public life across the Nicobar District. Students are unable to attend online classes or access educational materials, government departments and institutions are facing major difficulties in processing e-files and online correspondence, traders and business establishments are unable to perform digital banking, GST filing, or electronic transactions, and the general public is struggling to maintain communication with the mainland.
It was further mentioned that no official information or public announcement has been issued by the concerned authorities regarding the cause of this long outage or the expected date of restoration, causing widespread inconvenience and uncertainty among island residents.
The letter also highlights that in emergency situations such as medical referrals, disaster response, or administrative coordination with Port Blair and mainland offices, the lack of stable internet connectivity poses serious challenges. This situation emphasizes the urgent need for a reliable and resilient communication network across the entire Nicobar District.
In view of the above, the following requests have been made to the Administration:
Direct BSNL and other concerned service providers to take immediate steps to restore full 4G internet services throughout Great Nicobar and the entire Nicobar District.
Develop and implement a permanent backup connectivity plan, such as satellite-based internet or alternative fiber link, to ensure uninterrupted communication in the event of future breakdowns.
Ensure timely public updates or press releases during major network disruptions so that residents remain informed of the situation.
The representation concludes with an appeal for immediate intervention from the Administration to bring relief to the people of Great Nicobar and the entire Nicobar District and to help maintain essential communication, governance, and development activities smoothly.
