Internet connectivity to all GPs by April 2021

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has set a target to provide high-speed internet connectivity to all Gram Panchayats in phases by April 2021, said an official on Tuesday.

This was decided in State Level Implementation Committee held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy here.

Reviewing the progress made so far, the Chief Secretary directed to expedite implementation of Phase-II Bharat Net programme and provide connectivity to all GPs by April 2021.

He said, “The digital infrastructure will be an enabler of growth and development in the State”. 

Road map was set to give phase wise connection to the GPs and complete the entire process by coming April.

Chief Secretary Tripathy also directed to give Wi-Fi connectivity at main activity points of the GPs.

All Government offices including the schools, medicals and banks can also access the connectivity.

Development Commissioner Suresh Chandra Mohapatra advised to put in place a definite proactive system for regular maintenance and upkeep of the infrastructure including the cables for ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

Tripathy directed to ensure the high bandwidth and quality connectivity in all GPs.

It was decided that each GP would have five connection points for utilization by development institutions and Government offices.

The main commercial place of the GP would get Wi-Fi connection. The telemedicine centers, schools and agriculture kiosks would be connected for facilitating health care, e-learning and profitable agri-commerce.

Electronics and Telecommunication (E & IT) secretary Manoj Kumar Mishra appraised, “So far 22, 541 kms of optical fiber cable has been laid against the target of 27,610 Kms. The balance of 5069 kms 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 for commissioning of connectivity at all GPs was discussed in the meeting.

The Chief Secretary asked Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water department to operationalize the internet points at the GPs as and when the connections are available.