With an aim to improve telecom connectivity in the Northeast region, Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has proposed setting-up an inter-ministerial panel to expedite work on laying of optical fibre along the Shillong-Tura electric power line.

The Government of Meghalaya is considering laying optical fibre ground wire (OPGW) along its 208-km long Shillong-Tura high tension electric power line. The cost of the project has been pegged at Rs 220 million.

Earlier, the Government of Meghalaya had approached DoT to extend financial support for the project through the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). Following the government’s request, the department has written to DoNER that an inter-ministerial committee may be formed with the representatives from DoT, Government of Meghalaya and DoNER to fasttrack work on the optical fibre project.