Parliament Criticizes Unused Satellite Transponders

The Public Accounts Committee expressed dismay over Rs 17.27 crore spent on the GSAT-18 satellite, launched with bonus transponders in 2016. These remained unused due to existing capacity. The decision was to prevent loss of spectrum rights but raised economic viability concerns according to the Committee's report.

The Public Accounts Committee has raised concerns over an avoidable expenditure of Rs 17.27 crore related to the GSAT-18 communication satellite, launched in October 2016. Despite carrying additional transponders to secure spectrum rights, six extended C-Band transponders have remained unused, drawing criticism on planning and economic viability.

The GSAT-18 was launched to replace urgent transponder capacity needs from aging INSAT satellites. While 18 of the GSAT-18's transponders were utilized as intended, the report highlighted that existing satellites had sufficient extended C-Band transponders, making additional ones redundant.

The Department of Space defended the decision as strategic, ensuring priority in the orbital slot as per ITU regulations. They argued that launching a satellite solely for six transponders isn't commercially viable but critics question the justification for keeping them dormant for over a decade.

(With inputs from agencies.)