Govt completes NOFN survey work in 2.30 lakh gram panchayats

NOFN aims to link 2.50 lakh gram panchayats through an optical fibre cable network by March 2017

The government has completed a major part of the survey for the rolling out of its ambitious National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project, which aims to provide Internet access to 2.50 lakh gram panchayats in India.

According to official data, Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) created for the project, has completed the survey in over 2.30 lakh gram panchayats and has issued technical sanction to 1.81 lakh.

BBNL had entrusted the survey work to three public sector undertakings (PSUs) -- BSNL, Railtel and Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL).

Before rolling out the project at national level, three pilot projects were conducted in Ajmer (Rajasthan), North Tripura and Vishakapatnam (Andhra Pradesh).

Procurement orders for optical fibre cable and electronic transmission equipment have been finalised and the three PSUs have awarded work in 210 blocks for trenching and laying of OFC.

NOFN aims to link 2.50 lakh Gram Panchayats (GP) through an optical fibre cable (OFC) network by March 2017.

Last week, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told Lok Sabha that the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) has released a grant of Rs 919 crore for National Optic Fibre Network (NOFN) project to date and the executing agency BBNL has utilised Rs 463 crore so far on the project.

"The target for the completion of the project is March 2017 for connecting over 2.3 lakh gram panchayats with broadband services. Of which 50,000 gram pachayats will be connected by March 2015, one lakh by March 2016 and the balance by March 2017," Prasad had said.