(a) whether the Government have proposal to expedite the process of creating necessary infrastructure of telecommunication connectivity in order to provide telecom service facilities in the backward and remote Bodo Tribal areas extending up to Indo-Bhutan border;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a)to(c): Yes, Sir. The following infrastructure is planned for upgrading the telecom facilities in the Bodo Tribal Areas:-
(i) Commissioning of exchanges at Borabazar, Serfanguri and Kachugaon.
(ii) Commissioning of Digital Microwave System (6GHZ) between Goalpara-Coochbehar during the year 2002-2003
(iii) Commissioning of very high capacity (STM-16) Optical Fibre system between Coochbehar and Guwahati servicing Barpeta, Bongaigaon, and Kokrajhar districts of Assam during the year 2002-2003.