In a move to boost the communication capabilities of defence forces in a major way, the Government on Wednesday nearly doubled the budget to Rs 24,664 crore for laying an alternative communications network for defence services. The budget for the Network For Spectrum (NFS) project has been raised by Rs 11,330 crore. The proposed project is expected to be completed in 24 months.
“The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given its approval for enhancement of budget by Rs 11,330 crore for NFS project for laying of alternate communication network for Defence Services for release of spectrum over and above Rs 13,334 crore already approved by Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure in July, 2012,” according to the official statement.
“Being implemented by Bharat Sanchar Nigam ltd (BSNl), the project will be completed in 24 months. It will boost the communication capabilities of defence forces in a major way leading to enhanced national operational preparedness,” the statement said, adding that it will have forward linkages to other related industries such as telecom equipment manufacturing and other telecom related services.
With the Government move, BSNl CMD Anupam Shrivastava, however told a news agency, “The work is going on for laying of optical fibre cable of 57,000 km for the Army and 3,000 km for navy. The physical layer is in place to the extent of 90% and now the electronics elements like network management system, security and other aspects will be put in.”
“While advance purchase orders have been placed for network management system and some other parts, tenders are being finalised for certain segments,” Shrivastava said, adding that BSNl is the implementing as well as the monitoring agency for the project which is currently in full swing.