BSNL optic fibre project to provide Wi-Fi to 1,000 gram panchayats in Ludhiana

Union minister Manish Tewari said that about 1,000 gram panchayats of Ludhiana district will soon be getting Wi-Fi connectivity under Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited's National Optical Fibre Network programme.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister said it was a countrywide programme in which over 2 lakh gram panchayats will be provided Wi-Fi connectivity and Ludhiana has also been

included in the first phase of the project.

The project will provide immediate and fast Internet connectivity to the people living in the villages, he said in a statement at Ludhiana.

Tewari pointed out that since the private operators were not prepared to provide the Internet services in the villages as it did not generate them much revenue, the Union Government

stepped in to provide this facility to the people there.

He said, given the dependence on internet, which has become a necessity it was one of his priorities to ensure that the gram panchayats are connected through the worldwide web (Internet) with rest of the world. Besides, he added, it will be beneficial for the people whose relatives are living abroad.

Earlier in December, the government proposed that union ministries, public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies give preference to the services of the state-run telecom operators, in a bid to enhance the revenues of BSNL and MTNL.

"Proposing preferential treatment to BSNL and MTNL services in Central Government Ministries/Central Government public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies to enhance the revenues earned by BSNL and MTNL," said Minister of State for Communications and IT Killi Kruparani.