At present, internet links to the state are from Mumbai and Chennai international gateways. Assam is linked to the gateways through the narrow Siliguri corridor in West Bengal, leading to frequent disruption of connectivity.
"Currently, internet links to the state are from Mumbai and Chennai international gateways, which are linked to Assam through the narrow Siliguri corridor. This leads to frequent disruptions in IT connectivity in Assam and other northeastern states. This has also deterred IT companies from investing in the state," added the chief minister.
During the 56th National Development Council meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi on Saturday, Gogoi said international internet connectivity from Cox Bazar should be extended up to Guwahati as the distance between the two places is only 480 km. Gogoi said Internet connectivity from Cox's Bazar and Guwahati could be easily linked through the Se-ME-WE-4 undersea cable station.
The chief minister also proposed to set up an international internet gateway in Guwahati for international internet connectivity from Cox Bazar. Gogoi suggested that a hub of the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) should be set up in Guwahati to strengthen internet service.
"All districts, subdivisions, blocks and panchayats should be connected with high speed (100/1000 Mbps and above) links for faster connectivity within the state so that the general public benefit from internet connectivity," said the chief minister.
"During the 12th Plan, the approach of the government would be to create capacities in terms of skill building in IT and IT-enabled services up to the block level by taking connectivity to villages using a mix of various technologies, creating the right internet communication technology infrastructure for providing services to the citizens and also attracting investment to the state," he added.