New Delhi: Kerala will be the first state to be
fully covered by broadband connectivity under the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project, which aims to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across
the Nation by December 2016.
Minister of Communications & IT
Ravi Shankar Prasad will launch NOFN on January 12 in Idukki district of the State, which is completely connected by optic fibre. The entire State will be
covered by March.
"We are launching NOFN in Idukki district of Kerala on January 12. It is a
very important beginning with one district completely covered. Kerala would
complete NOFN by March this year, and the State is also one of those where BSNL
is in profit," Prasad said here.
The project aims at providing the basic infrastructure for the Digital India
programme. NOFN aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to 2.5 lakh
gram panchayats by December 2016 and the estimated cost of the project is
around Rs 30,000 crore.
The government has set a target of rolling out optical fibre network across
50,000 village panchayat by the end of this financial year, 1 lakh by March
2016 and another 1 lakh by end of 2016.
To fast-track the central project, Department of Telecom has also warned of
action against those officials who are not taking decisions or delaying it.
Sources said the work has been fast-tracked now and most of the logistical
issues have been addressed.
"Issues like the right of way have been substantially addressed as most of
the Chief Ministers are on board regarding the matter," said a source.
Meanwhile, Prasad said that he has written to Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari
that a provision should be made for space for telecom ducts while making new
highways.
The minister had also suggested to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister of N. Chandrababu Naidu that while approving building by-laws, every house plan
should have provisions for duct like that for water and electricity.
These things are going to solve the right of way issues.
India
News Desk
