THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (DR.(SMT.)
KILLI KRUPARANI)
(a) According to information provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), the
State-wise number of Gram Panchayats connected through underground cable in the country
during the last three years and the current year by BSNL is given in Annexure-I.
National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project funded by Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) is planned to connect all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2,50,000) in the country
through optical fibre utilizing existing fibers of PSUs viz. BSNL, RailTel and Power Grid
and laying incremental fiber wherever necessary to bridge the connectivity gap between Gram
Panchayats and Blocks, for providing broadband connectivity.
Three Pilot Projects have been completed on 15.10.2012 to cover all Gram Panchayats of Arain
Block in Ajmer District (Rajasthan), Panisagar Block in North Tripura District (Tripura),
Paravada Block in Vishakhapatnam District (Andhra Pradesh). Each of the 58 Gram Panchayats
in these three Pilot Project Blocks have been provided with 100 Mbps bandwidth.
State-wise number of Gram Panchayats connected through Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) under the
Pilot Project of NOFN are given in Annexure II.
(b) No complaints / irregularities in regard to laying of cables have been reported to BSNL.
(c) & (d) Does not arise in view of (b) above.
(e) The telephone connections have not been provided in 9 Gram Panchayats in Andaman &
Nicobar Circle, out of which 7 Gram Panchayats have not requested for the telephone connections
and 2 Gram Panchayats are having Mobile coverage.
In Uttarakhand Secondary Switching Area (SSA) telephone connections are not provided being
technically non feasible.
