ISRO replaces Thaicomm in CCTNS project

What is CCTNS Project?

The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) aims at creation of a nation-wide networking infrastructure for evolution of IT-enabled sophisticated tracking system around 'investigation of crime and detection of criminals' formally launched by the GOI in Jan 2013. It will share data of crimes and criminals among 14,000 police stations across the country.

The Rs 2,000 crore project, approved in 2009, spans across all the 35 states and Union Territories.

Fully sponsored by the Government of India under the national e-Governance Programme. 

So basically,

Aim of CCTNS = efficient, effective and  transparent policing through e-governance. 

Okay, so now what happened?

1. The CCTNS is a group of some 820 VSATs (two-way ground satellite systems) that will be networked by a satellite.
2. BSNL was the original agency in charge.
3. BSNL had only some 400 VSATs.
4. For remaining (820-400=420! Oops, lucky number :D), BSNL ordered IPSTARs (that are VSATs by Thaicomm- a Thai communication company, which is also providing services in almost a dozen nations, including Pakistan and China)

Our Intelligence agency did some homework and said that "CCTNS data is going to be highly sensitive. Using a foreign satellite to relay this data = ramifications on the national security environment"

Now, GOI, has decided that ISRO is going to provide the remaining number of VSATs.

--End of News--

Sources: Press Information Bureau , The Hindu