In another step towards making electronics delivery of services to the people fast, the Government has set the timeline for the Odisha State Wide Area Network (OSWAN) horizontal connectivity to tehsil and registration offices.
At a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary JK Mohapatra here, it was decided that horizontal connectivity to all the tehsils, registration and sub-divisional offices will be completed by October 31, 2014 in phases. The Chief Secretary advised Chief General Manager, Telecom NK Bhoi to develop the technical models for a disaster-proof telecom system which can sustain a very high velocity type of cyclone of category-5.
Additional CS, Revenue and Disaster Management Dr Tara Datt was asked to move BSNl authorities for initiating steps in this direction. It was decided that last mile connectivity from BSNl exchange to blocks would be established through optical fiber cable. An estimated cost of Rs 13.77 crore for the purpose has been approved for this.
At present, the OSWAN is serving as the backbone network for data, video and voice communications throughout the State. Till now, the State headquarters, all 30 district HQs and 284 block HQs have been connected. The OSWAN has also been connected with the National Knowledge Network. A total number of 39 voice communication studios, one each at district headquarters and nine at State headquarters have been commissioned.
The Government has approved the proposal for connectivity to 1,266 critical offices in phase I. For the purpose, 317 tehsils, 185 district sub-registrar and other offices, 165 treasuries, 375 health institutions, 103 UlBs, 30 sadar blocks, 30 DRDAs, 58 sub-collector offices and 3 ADM offices have been enlisted in this phase.