Governance Now

Government takes cognizance of BharatNet project delay

The Phase-I to connect 1,00,000 GPs by laying underground Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) is being implemented through three CPSUs

GN Bureau | March 15, 2017


#broadband connectivity   #Manoj Sinha   #egov   #BharatNet   #internet  


The government has taken cognizance of the delay in BharatNet project and has taken corrective measures, the Lok Sabha was informed.
 
Union minister Manoj Sinha said that BharatNet project is being implemented with the objective to create network infrastructure for providing Broadband connectivity of 100 Mbps to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) (approx. 2,50,000) in the country. Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) is the special purpose vehicle (SPV) to implement, operate and manage the project.
 
 
The Phase-I to connect 1,00,000 GPs by laying underground Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) is being implemented through three CPSUs namely, BSNL, RailTel & PGCIL. Non-discriminatory access is to be provided to the service providers for provision of services.
 
The minister said that the government has taken cognizance of the delay in the project and identified the reasons for delay and taken corrective actions:
 
Reasons for delay:
 
  1. Delay in the initial commencement of project due to field survey of GPs to assess the cable route and length, and pilot testing of the technology model.
  2. Implementation of the project only through three CPSUs namely, BSNL, RailTel and PGCIL
  3. Connectivity to GPs only by laying underground OFC.
  4. Inadequate quality of BSNL fibre between Block and Fibre Point of Interconnect (FPOI) being used to connect GPs.
  5. Centralised procedure of procurement and sourcing of equipment through BBNL.
     
Corrective actions taken:
  1. Telecom Commission approved revised implementation strategy on 30.04.2016. According to revised strategy:
    Implementation of the project is to be done in phases; Phase-I to connect 1,00,000 GPs by following the current methodology to connect by underground OFC; Phase-II to connect remaining GPs through optimal mix of underground/ aerial OFC, radio and satellite media.
    Implementation of Phase-II through States and private sector in addition to CPSUs.
  2. Replacement of BSNL’s existing fibre wherever the quality of the cable is not adequate.
  3. Work front for Phase-I has been increased to 1,25,000.
  4. Decentralised procurement of equipment through implementing CPSUs in addition to Bharat Broadband Network Ltd. (BBNL).
  5. Empowered Committee under Secretary (T), Steering Committee under Administrator, USOF and State-level Committees have been set up for monitoring of the progress and resolution of issues.
  6. Operation & Maintenance (O&M) and revenue sharing arrangement between BBNL and BSNL has been approved by DoT.
  7. For laying of aerial OFC, advance funding to conduct GIS mapping of electricity poles has been provided to seven states.
 
The other projects being implemented by Universal Services Obligation Fund (USOF) to augment mobile and internet connectivity are:
 
  1. Scheme to provide mobile connectivity in Left Wing Extremist (LWE) areas is under implementation through BSNL. So far, a total of 2186 mobile towers out of 2199 locations in ten states as identified by MHA and approved by the Cabinet, have started radiating.
  2. Other schemes funded by USOF include comprehensive telecom development plan for the North Eastern Region to provide mobile connectivity in 8621 uncovered villages, mobile connectivity in 172 uncovered villages in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, sub-marine OFC connectivity from mainland India (Chennai) to Port Blair, augmentation of satellite bandwidth in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands, augmentation of OFC network from district to sub-district headquarters in North East.
 

 

Comments

 

Other News

On a personal note: DIVINE

An underground rapper who grew up on Mumbai streets, Divine spins his music around his environment and poverty. His breakout single, ‘Meri Gully Mein’, along with fellow rapper Naezy caught Bollywood’s attention. The Hindi film ‘Gully Boy’ is inspired by their lives and gr

The role model for an IAS officer

Anil Swarup, an IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre who retired in 2018, is a model bureaucrat who retained his optimism right till the end of service and exemplified dedication and commitment. His excitement at the opportunities that a job in the IAS provided is evident on every page of his new book publis

Reform of the civil services: At home and away

The question of reform of the civil services has been debated extensively at all levels at least over the last five to six decades after independence. Indeed, it was soon perceived that the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) may not be well equipped to deal with the problems of an emerging developing coun

The greatest challenge for any government

Shouting vengeance at all and sundry while wriggling out of holes of our own making seems to be our very special national characteristic. Some recent instances are illustrative of this attribute. A number of business tycoons with thousands of crores of unresolved debts have fled abroad with the government

The mysterious case of CBI’s legality

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) came into existence, based on a Resolution of the home ministry, dated April 1, 1963 – a sheer coincidence that it also happens to be April Fool’s day. Over the past few months, we have seen the CBI live up to its founding day with great zeal, being i

The Evolution of Modi

Gujarat was passing through a turbulent phase in the 1980s. The decade began middle class agitations against new reservation policies, and the caste friction turned communal under the watch of chief minister Madhavsinh Solanki, alienating majority of urban population on both counts. The ground was ripe for

Current Issue

Current Issue

Video

CM Nitish’s convoy attacked in Buxar

Opinion

Facebook    Twitter    Google Plus    Linkedin    Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter