India’s rapid internet expansion has created significant dependencies on submarine cables that carry data between continents, with the country now consuming roughly 20% of global data traffic. However, this digital growth masks a fundamental imbalance: India accounts for only about 3% of the world’s submarine cables and possesses just 1% of global cable landing stations—the coastal facilities where undersea cables connect to terrestrial networks.
The geographic concentration of cable infrastructure presents particular concerns. At least 13 of India’s 18 intercontinental submarine cables come ashore within a six-kilometer area near Versova in Mumbai, together handling as much as 95% of the country’s international bandwidth to Europe, Africa and West Asia. While cable architecture allows for traffic rerouting through alternative landing points in southern cities, even modest performance degradation could prove costly for financial institutions, government networks, and increasingly, artificial intelligence infrastructure that requires high-speed data transfers.
Additional vulnerabilities compound the geographic risk. Approximately 11 of India’s 18 international cables are more than 20 years old, approaching the typical 25-year operational lifespan of submarine systems. More immediately concerning, India lacks domestic subsea cable repair capacity. When cables break—a far more common occurrence than deliberate sabotage—repair vessels must be sourced from abroad, typically from Dubai or Singapore, and must navigate Indian regulatory approval processes that can add weeks to repair timelines.
The mismatch between infrastructure development and demand presents another challenge. Data-centre capacity has grown significantly, increasing from 375 megawatts in 2020 to approximately 1,575 megawatts currently. Submarine cable planning and installation typically require five to six years combined, potentially creating capacity shortfalls. Regulatory fragmentation across 16 different government agencies further slows cable-related approvals, with single cable landing station projects requiring approximately 50 clearances.
Experts suggest India requires multiple structural changes: expanded cable landing stations across both coasts, pre-identified and pre-approved sites with standardized conditions, domestic repair capacity development, and streamlined regulatory processes. Establishing a single-window approval system and designating a lead telecommunications authority could help accelerate infrastructure development needed to support the country’s expanding digital economy.
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