Government takes cognizance of BharatNet project delay -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.

Read: Comedy of errors

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:

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.
Implementation of the project only through three CPSUs namely, BSNL, RailTel and PGCIL
Connectivity to GPs only by laying underground OFC.
Inadequate quality of BSNL fibre between Block and Fibre Point of Interconnect (FPOI) being used to connect GPs.
Centralised procedure of procurement and sourcing of equipment through BBNL.

Corrective actions taken:

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.
Replacement of BSNL’s existing fibre wherever the quality of the cable is not adequate.
Work front for Phase-I has been increased to 1,25,000.
Decentralised procurement of equipment through implementing CPSUs in addition to Bharat Broadband Network Ltd. (BBNL).
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.
Operation & Maintenance (O&M) and revenue sharing arrangement between BBNL and BSNL has been approved by DoT.
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:

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.
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

India faces critical shortage of skin donors amid rising burn cases

India reports nearly 70 lakh burn injury cases every year, resulting in approximately 1.4 lakh deaths annually. Experts estimate that up to 50% of these lives could be saved with adequate access to skin donations. A significant concern is that around 70% of burn victims fall wi

Not just politics, let`s discuss policies too

Why public policy matters Most days, India`s loudest debates stop at the ballot box. We can name every major leader and recall every campaign slogan. Still, far fewer of us can explain why a widow`s pension is delayed or how a government school`s budget is actually approved. That

When algorithms decide and children die

The images have not left me, of dead and wounded children being carried in the arms of the medics and relatives to the ambulances and hospitals. On February 28, at the start of Operation Epic Fury, cruise missiles struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh school – officially named a girls’ school, in Minab,

The economics of representation: Why women in power matter

India’s democracy has grown in scale, but not quite in balance. Women today are active participants in elections, influencing outcomes in ways that were not as visible earlier. Yet their presence in legislative institutions continues to lag behind. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was meant to addres

India will be powerful, not aggressive: Bhaiyyaji

India is poised to emerge as a global power but will remain rooted in its civilisational ethos of non-aggression and harmony, former RSS General Secretary Suresh `Bhaiyyaji` Joshi has said. He was speaking at the launch of “Rashtrabhav,” a book by Ravindra Sathe

AI: Code, Control, Conquer

India today stands at a critical juncture in the area of artificial intelligence. While the country is among the fastest adopters of AI in the world, it remains heavily reliant on technologies developed elsewhere. This paradox, experts warn, cannot persist if India seeks technological sovereignty.