Pune: World’s Largest Telescope GMRT In Danger Due To Reliance Jio?

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Pune: August 27, 2021: A mistake by Department of Telecommunications (DOT’s) in allocating the airwaves has threatened the very existence of Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), the world’s largest radio metrewave telescope located 80 kms from Pune.

According to the Scientists working here they had to forgo few of the observations done with the help of the upgraded GMRT due to the disturbances caused by it. Apparently, The Indian Express newspaper, Pune edition first reported about frequency allocation to Reliance Jio causing the disturbance.

It happened so that the DOT erroneously allocated the spectrum to Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited which caused severe disturbances threatening the quality of the research. Scientists from over 30 countries including have been affected due to it.

DOT allocated spectrum between 800 MHz and 900 MHz, which coincided with GMRT. GMRT has a special protection for carrying out exclusive operations around 900 MHz. Recently, GMRT was upgraded. It has highly-sensitive specialised receivers installed on each of its 30 antennas.

Located near Narayangaon region in Pune district, the site was selected way back in 1980’s as it was the ‘quietest place’ and was favourable for long-term telescope operations.

Late scientist Govind Swarup was fundamental in creating GMRT. It was built and operated by Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) – National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) Pune.

Since 2016-17 has been facing the problem and also had contacted Reliance company but the matter has failed on deaf ears”, said the scientists working at NCRA on the condition of anonymity.