Odisha Govt Targets High Speed Internet Link To Panchayats By April, 2021

Bhubaneswar: The state government has set a target to provide high speed internet connectivity to all gram panchayats in phases by April, 2021.

The decision was taken at State Level Implementation Committee meeting chaired by chief secretary Asit Tripathy on digital mode on Tuesday. Reviewing the progress made so far, Tripathy directed to expedite implementation of Phase-II Bhrat Net programme and provide connectivity to all GPs by April, 2021.

“The digital infrastructure will be an enabler of growth and development in the State,” he said and directed to give Wi-Fi connectivity at main activity points of the panchayats. All government offices including the schools, medicals and banks can also access the connectivity.

It was decided that each panchayat would have five connection points for utilisation by development institutions and government offices. The main commercial place of the GP would get Wi-Fi connection. The telemedicine centers, schools and agriculture kiosks would be connected for facilitating health care, e-learning and profitable agri-commerce.

Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra advised to put in place a definite proactive system for regular maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure including the cables for ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

Secretary, Electronics and Telecommunication (E & IT) Manoj Kumar Mishra outlined the administrative, technical and financial issues. “So far, 22,541 km of optical fibre cable has been laid against the target of 27,610 km. The balance 5069 km will be completed soon,” he said.

Similarly, 4651 GPs and 230 blocks have been provided the connectivity and the rest blocks and GPs will be linked up in phases.

It was revealed at the meeting that OCAC under the department of E&IT is the chief band width provider in remote areas of the state. “This infrastructure will bring all the GPs within the scope of SWAN network. Besides, its dark fibres can be hired to the telecom and internet service providers on commercial basis,” Mishra said.

It was also decided to formulate a special purpose vehicle (SPV) involving the departments like Energy, E & IT and Panchayati Raj for productive utilisation of the digital infrastructure created in the State.

Among others, principal secretary, Energy NB Dhal; principal secretary, Home Sanjeeb Chopra; principal secretary, Panchayati Raj Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh; principal secretary, Finance Ashok Kumar Meena; special secretary IT Manoj Patnaik along with senior officers of OCAC, OPTCL and departments concerned participated in the discussions.

BharatNet Status

Implementation of the project in two Phases:
Phase-I: (1 Lakh GPs + Additional Work front of 26257 GPs)

• Phase- I to connect 1 lakh GPs is completed.
• Implementation through CPSUs: BSNL, RailTel, PGCIL
• CSC to Maintain, Operate &Market the Network.
• Existing fibre of BSNL (between Blockto GPs) used to lay and connect new OFC under the project.
• Additional Work front of 26264 GPs was given to complete 1 Lakh GPs of Ph- l. At present work is under progress in these GPs.

Phase-II (around 1.31 Lakh GPs including GPs over Satellite media)

• Life time maintenance of network by implementing agency.
• States/BBNL/BSNL responsible for Operation &Mtce. and Management of Network.
• Services provisioning through Service Providers and States.
• Viability Gap Funding for last mile solution such as Wi-Fi Hotspot.The Satellite component of Ph- II is being implemented by BBNL( 4821 GPs) and BSNL (1407 GPs)
• Implementation through PPP Model

Implementation of Phase-II
Implementation Mode: State Led Model

Number of GPs: 65590

Number of GPSync BHQ: 67759

States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Jharkhand Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujrata, Odisha

Satellite Model:

Number of GPs: 7118

Number of GPSync BHQ: 7118

States: NE,J-K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhan, Rajasthan, UP, MP, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhttisgarh

Overall Project Status as on 2nd Oct. 2020
Length of OFC laid: 4,59, 124 Kms
No. of GPs where OFC Laid: 157624GPs
No of GPs Made Service Ready (On fibre & satellite): 145,545