Port Blair, Apr 04: The Member of Parliament, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, A & N Islands raised an issue under Rule-377 regarding need to float tender for awarding the project for laying of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable connecting Chennai and Port Blair on 06.02.2017 and the extract of Lok Sabha debate was extended to the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications.
In reply to the above quarries, Mr. Manoj Sinha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communication has stated that “I have had the matter examined. On 21.09.2016, the Cabinet approved the project for provision of Submarine Optical Fibre Cable connectivity between Mainland (Chennai) and Port Blair and five other Islands of A & N Islands. BSNL uploaded the draft tender document on its website on 05.10.2016 for seeking comments from the stake holders.
A vendor conference was organized by BSNL on 27.10.2016 to seek suggestions/comments from prospective bidders on the Draft Tender. Taking into consideration the comments received from the stake holders, the draft eligibility condition were modified by BSNL and uploaded on their website on 02.12.2016 for seeking comments from prospective bidders. Suggestion/comments have been received from Telecom Equipments Manufactures Association (TEMA) for modification in eligibility condition. Decision is being taken on these issues and tender would be floated shortly”.
