Gujarat signs MoU with DoT, Centre & BBNL for optical fiber network connectivity

AHMEDABAD: A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) between Department of Telecommunication, Government of India, Bharat Broadband Network Ltd ( BBNL) and Gujarat government has been signed to establish an Optical Fiber based network for Broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats for Universal Services to rural population of State.

Under the scheme of eGRAM Vishwagram Project, total 13,685 eGram centers were established in Village Panchayats and eGram Centers have been equipped with VSAT Broadband connected PCs and being provided the e-service to rural citizens. After setting up of Optical Fiber network project, all villages will become totally eVillages.

On Friday, the MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Communication and IT, Mr. Kapil Sibal at Delhi. Under this project, all villages of State will be covered under National Optical Fiber Network. The MoU was signed on behalf of Gujarat Government by Shri S. B. Chaudhari, Deputy Secretary from Panchayat, Rural Hosing and Rural Development Department.

According to state government press statement, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi initiated this reform by dedicating the widest village connectivity network of Asia in 2009 through the project, E-Gram, Vishwa Gram.

This bridged the digital divide between the rural and urban areas and providing E-services to 13,685 Gram Panchayats, claims the government press statement. The initiatives allow the rural masses to access the information, public services including those of education, health and financial inclusion.