In an attempt to strengthen internet services in the State a balloon based on Aerostat technology was launched by the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat at IT Park here on Friday.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that those areas, which have not yet been linked with information and internet technology will be given priority and provided internet facilities through balloon technique. He opined that keeping in view the tough geographical conditions, the new technology will be helpful. Rawat added that Uttarakhand is vulnerable to natural disasters and in case of any emergency such a technology will be useful in contacting people in such areas.
He said that State Government is committed to providing IT services as per the modern requirements. Giving an example of remote villages like Ghes, he said that it has now been connected with Apollo Hospital through Tele-Medicine. Rawat said that as the villages of Uttarakhand are situated far away, providing internet technology is not profitable for private companies and in such a scenario the low cost balloon technique is extremely helpful.
The aerostat technology is being used for the first time in the country in Uttarakhand with the cooperation of IIT Mumbai and the Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA).
Aerostat balloon is a celestial platform in which a gas is filled and raised high in the sky. The balloon is connected to the surface with the help of a rope and through various mechanisms; it remains in the atmosphere without fuel for a long time. Due to the quality of the minimum vibration of the balloon, it can be used for communication, aerial monitoring, climate monitoring, and other such works. The balloon can be installed in the appropriate vehicle and taken from one place to another, as required, can be activated in less time.
In the programme, Mussoorie MlA Ganesh Joshi, Chief Secretary Utpal Kumar Singh, secretaries Amit Negi, RK Sudhanshu, ITDA director Amit Sinha, IIT Mumbai professor RS Pant and others were present.