Chhattisgarh Infotech and Biotech Promotion Society (CHiPS), the nodal agency of the Department of Electronics & Information Technology, will soon appoint a System Integrator for the implementation as well as maintenance of network infrastructure backbone of ‘BastarNet’ Project in Chhattisgarh.
Notably, CHiPS is involved in implementation of some mega IT projects like CHOiCE, e-District, e-Procurement, SWAN, CCTNS, BastarNet, GIS, etc in the State.
It has already floated tender for underground ‘Optical Fibre Cable’ (OFC) laying in Bastar and also finalised the bidder. Now, CHiPS is floating tenders for infrastructure backbone for ‘BastarNet’ Project, official sources said.
The Chhattisgarh government has already commenced work for laying a comprehensive OFC backbone link under ‘BastarNet Project’, officials added.
The work comprises laying OFC in two ‘rings’-- the first being--Jagdalpur-Geedam-Kondagaon-Narayanpur-Bhanupratappur and Kanker. The project would involve laying OFC in link 1 : Jagdalpur-Geedam – approximately 71 km, link 2 : Jagdalpur-Kondagaon – approximately 74 km, link 3 : Kondagaon-Narayanpur-approximately 48 km, link 4 : Narayanpur- Bhanupratapur - approximately 76 km, link 5: Bhanupratapur- Kanker- approximately 51 km. link 6: Kanker- Kondagaon-approximately 85 km, comprising a total of 405 kms.
The work for underground OFC laying under Ring 2 would involve- Jagdalpur-Sukma-Dornapal-Konta-Dantewara-Geedam-Bijapur-Bhopalpattnam in which OFC would be laid in link 6: Jagdalpur-Sukma- approximately 106 km, link 7: Sukma-Dornapal- approximately 36 km, link 8: Dornapal- Konta- approximately 44 km, link 9: Sukma-Dantewara- approximately 84 km, link 10: Dantewara –Geedam- approximately 18 km, link 11: Geedam –Bijapur-approximately 88 km, link 12: Bijapur –Bhopa-
lpattanam- approximately 55 km, totalling 431 kms.
It might be recalled that Chief Minister Raman Singh in August last year had said that Bastar will be included in Chhattisagrh Government’s ‘Digital Highway’ which will be a catalyst in bringing about a new revolution in development of a knowledge-based society, opportunity and economy.
It would also enhance transparency, accuracy and accountability of government services, the CM said while disclosing details on implementation of the ‘BastarNet’ project in his Independence Day speech delivered at the Police Parade ground here.
He said that owing to its geographical conditions, it is necessary to ensure mobile and internet connectivity in Bastar.
Under this project, 832 kms long optical fibre cable will be laid at the cost of Rs 40 crore. This network will be built with ‘ring network’ so that it may provide uninterrupted mobile and internet connectivity through alternative routes, the Chief Minister said.
Public sector telecom giant Bharat Sanchar Nigam ltd (BSNl) has taken up work for laying optical fibre cable (OFC) in regions of extreme insurgency-infested Sukma district of Bastar in Chhattisgarh.
The OFC will be connected to a total of 14 Village Panchayat buildings under National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) project, officials informed.
Notably, BSNl has already commenced the process of laying optical fibre cables under NOFN project in parts of insurgency infested pockets of Bastar in Chhattisgarh.
With a view to provide a major boost to expansion of telecommunication services in Chhattisgarh, the BSNl is going to install 2,000 new mobile towers in the State during the next two years, Union Minister for Telecomm-
unications and Information Technology, Ravi Shankar Prasad had announced during his visit to Raipur in June last year.
Notably, via video conferencing, Prasad had earlier dedicated the 146 new mobile towers erected in insurgency-infested Bastar region and infrastructure for providing internet services developed in Panchayats at Balrampur-Ramanujgunj district through NOFN.
“BSNl will set up 2,000 new mobile towers during the next two years in Chhattisgarh which will be a historical step to strengthen mobile connectivity in the State,” the Union Minister said at a press conference in Raipur last year after chairing a meeting with the officials at Chief Minister Raman Singh’s official residence.
“The Chief Minister had urged the Centre to install 1,600 mobiles towers in the State to improve telecom connectivity. I have spoken to BSNl officials and they have agreed to install as many as 2,000 towers,” he added.
In an effort to boost ‘digital drive’, 220 new Wi-Fi hotspots will be set up in the State mainly at tourist places, Prasad said.
“The State presently has 27 Wi-fi hotspots. During the next one-and-half years, this facility will be extended to 220 more places. I have asked to cover prominent tourist places of the State, including temples and waterfalls under the facility,” he said.
Notably, Chhattisgarh’s village panchayats will soon be provided with high speed internet connectivity across the State. The OFC is now being expanded to provide high speed of 20 mbps connectivity at gram-panchayat levels, officials said.
Interestingly, it might be mentioned that Chhattisgarh bagged e-Panchayat National Award for linking almost all the panchayats with Information Technology network in the month of April last year.