UP, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh likely to get funds for optical fibre cables

States have to ensure that there is no duplication of the existing Bharat net project in setting up OFC networks

Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh may be among the next set of states in line to receive funds under a central grant for laying optical fibre cable (OFC) networks, officials said.

The Centre provides financial assistance to states in the form of 50-year interest-free loans for capital investment projects. Of the total Rs 1 trillion allocated for the scheme, Rs 3,000 crore has been earmarked, and made available to states for capital projects on the OFC network. The Department of Telecom (DoT) recently approved funds for Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Haryana, and Karnataka.

“A number of states have submitted applications for receiving the