Gujarat CM launches 2 mbps connectivity to 6,000 villages, fiber optics network covering all villages next target

Gandhinagar: Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani today dedicated 2 mbps download(and 512 mbps upload) digital connectivity to 6,000 villages.

Under the E-gram programme launched in 2006-07 total 14,000 villages are connected to internet through V-SAT technology which offers hardly 19-20 kbps speed. When many E-gram centers login at same time, connectivity reduces further and making the operations very slow or sometime impossible.

Now 6,000 villages out of 14,000 are given 2 mbps connectivity through BSNL network. As these villages are out of the V-SAT platform, the rest of the villages served by V-SAT will also get faster connectivity.

Through E-gram rural people get varieties of services – mainly Government to citizen services related to PDS, health, data entry, power and gas bills, common service center services etc. With increased bandwith, Business to citizen services like bank, railway will also be possible.

Speaking in this function the Chief Minister sad that government’s ultimate goal is to serve all 18,000 villages through an optical fiber network. Talks are on with the Centre in this regard. He expressed pleasure at today’s achievement of jump from 20 kbps to 2000 kbps. Rupani said people will have less focus on Gandhinagar and they will be able to take decisions locally through this technology.

Speaking in this function Panchayat minister Jayantibhai Kavadia said 2 mbps connectivity will offer taluka panchayat level facilities in gram panchayat and make gram panchayat a mini taluka panchayat.

100% village connectivity through optical fiber is targeted to be achieved by 2nd October next year as per officials.

DeshGujarat