The 8,100-KM long Myanmar/Malaysia-India-Singapore Transit (MIST) Submarine Cable System connecting Mumbai and Chennai in India has been recommended for Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) under the Ministry of Forests (India).
MIST is an international submarine cable communication network that will be laid undersea to connect India with other Asian countries such as Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
The MIST cable system is being laid to provide reliable, robust and affordable telecom facilities in Asia. The main trunk route is from Tuas in Singapore to Mumbai in India, the EAC said in its minutes of meeting which was held on July 6.
“The Committee after detailed deliberations and considering the submissions made by the project proponent recommended the proposal for CRZ clearance, subject to the following conditions,” the EAC said.
The EAC recommended the CRZ clearance at Mumbai and also Chennai. CRZ clearance at both the cities will come with some conditions.
According to Zee Biz, in case of Mumbai, the Committee cautioned the project proponent, NTT Communications India Network Services Pvt Ltd, that the cable laying and associated facilities shall not hinder fishing activity in the area. The committee added that necessary precautions shall be taken and awareness shall be created.
The EAC also suggested considering increasing number of international cables landing on the Chennai coast. “The government shall make appropriate corridor for laying of such cables in the coastal area for better management and to avoid conflict with other stakeholders,” the EAC said.
In a press release in December 2019, NTT pegged MIST project cost at $400 million.
