Question : Optical Fibre Network

(a) the State-wise and UT-wise details regarding the Optical Fibre Network (OFN) laid by different companies in the last five years, year-wise;

(b) whether the Government has estimated the disruptions/damage to the OFN caused due to digging or constructive activities by various agencies like Public Works Department (PWD), NHAI, Railways, Municipal Bodies, water works department, State electricity boards, irrigation department etc.;

(c) if so, the details thereof State-wise and the measures taken by the Government in this regard; and

(d) the details regarding the total length of OFN along with the number of stations, cities and towns that have been connected through the OFN, State-wise?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)


(a) to (d) State/UT-wise details of optical fibre cables (OFC) laid along with number of Gram Panchayats for which OFC laid under the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), now called as BharatNet, are at Annexure. For BharatNet project, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with the State Governments for providing free Right of Way (RoW) permission for implementation of the project. RoW permission from Public Works Department (PWD), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Railways etc. is taken on a case to case basis.