The Odisha government has set a target to provide high-speed internet connectivity to all Gram Panchayats by April 2021. The plan was announced at a State-Level Implementation Committee Meeting led by Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy.
Chief Secretary Tripathy reviewed the progress made so far and urged the officials to expedite the implementation of the Phase-II of Bharat Net programme. Once completed, internet connectivity will be available to all Gram Panchayats (GPs).
“The digital infrastructure will be an enabler of growth and development in the State,” said Tripathy.
Tripathy also directed to provide Wi-Fi connectivity at the major activity points of the GPs so that public offices, schools, medical facilities and banks have access to the internet.
Manoj Mishra, Secretary Electronics and IT said, “So far 22, 541 km of optical fiber cable has been laid against the target of 27,610 Kms. The balance of 5069 km will be completed soon. Similarly as of now, 4651 GPs and 230 blocks have been provided the connectivity. Rest blocks and GPs will be linked up in phases.”
The ground level action plan devised at all GPs was highlighted in the meeting.
The discussions also revealed that Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) under the Department of Electronics and IT has emerged as the chief Bandwidth provider in remote areas.
“This infrastructure will bring all the GPs within the scope of the SWAN network. Besides, its dark fibers can be hired to the telecom and internet service providers on a commercial basis,” said Secretary IT, Manoj Mishra.