Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, and Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, discuss the role of advanced connectivity in governance and emergency preparedness
Efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure and connectivity in Goa have taken a forward step with a new agreement between Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications and Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited. The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on exploring advanced satellite based connectivity solutions to support public infrastructure, emergency response systems and governance capabilities across the state.
The MoU was signed in Panaji in the presence of Dr Pramod Sawant, Chief Minister of Goa, and Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications. Senior officials including Dr V. Candavelou, IAS, Chief Secretary of Goa, Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, and representatives from Starlink were also present. Starlink was represented by Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head of Starlink India.
Speaking at the event, Dr Pramod Sawant said that the Government of Goa continues to prioritise the use of technology to drive digital transformation and improve citizen services. He noted that the partnership reflects the state’s intent to build a digitally empowered ecosystem that strengthens governance and public welfare.
Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, stated that the collaboration aims to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in governance by leveraging modern connectivity solutions. He added that bridging connectivity gaps would support public services, investment activity, tourism and broader digital inclusion, while improving access to technology driven services for citizens.
Under the agreement, DITE&C and Starlink will explore collaboration across areas such as digital connectivity, disaster resilience and smart governance. This includes the possibility of piloting satellite broadband connectivity in locations with limited terrestrial networks, such as government schools, healthcare facilities and disaster management centres. The partnership also outlines scope for strengthening emergency preparedness, capacity building through training programmes and exploring affordable connectivity options for socially relevant use cases.
In addition, the collaboration aims to support connectivity requirements linked to tourism, coastal safety and public infrastructure, contributing to improved service delivery and resilience planning. Through this agreement, the Government of Goa has reiterated its focus on building a sustainable digital ecosystem that supports innovation, preparedness and inclusive growth.
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