Staff Reporter
Panaji
Stating that the issue of internet service providers (ISPs) and cable operators in the state has been resolved for now by providing them a six-month relief, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the government plans to lay a single underground cable in the near future for providing internet services.
He said the cable operators and ISPs will be able to use the service. “We have resolved the matter for the time being following the Chief Secretary holding an inter-departmental meeting,” he said.
Sawant said, “We are planning to lay a single underground cable considering the future requirements. This will help regulate the issue in the long run. Once the government lays this underground cable, the private operators may come on board.”
An extensive drive undertaken by the electricity department on Tuesday to clear cables hanging from electricity poles led to chaos among the internet service providers and consumers after snapping of the fibre optic cables led to internet outage across the state, impacting businesses, banks, hospitals and private residences.
Under mounting pressure from stakeholders, the government later issued an order appointing two nodal officers to oversee the power department’s infrastructure and relieved the drive head executive engineer Kashinath Shetye.
It may be noted that the drive was initiated by the electricity department after the All Goa Internet Service Providers Association, which has approached the Bombay High Court at Goa, was given March 18 as the date to argue its case, but was on Monday denied the request that no action be initiated until then.
