Union Govt approves a project National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) project

April 17, 2013

Union Government approved a project for creation of NOFN (National Optical Fibre Network) that will help in connecting all the 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India via Optical Fibre Cable (OFC).

Contribution of Union Govt via Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
Contribution of Union Govts via furnishing of free Right of Way (RoW) for setting OFC.
Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) is the SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) for the implementation of NOFN.
A tripartite MoU for free Right of Way (RoW) among Central Government, State Government and BBNL.
All the 16 States/UTs have given consent for free RoW.

Total 1,40,727 GPs will get covered by Optical Fibre Network in these States and UTs.

S.No:	State Name	No. of Gram Panchayats
1.	ANDHRA PRADESH	21,693
2.	ARUNACHAL PRADESH	1,756
3.	CHHATTISSGARH	9,770
4.	DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI	11
5.	DAMAN AND DIU	14
6.	JHARKHAND	4,423
7.	KARNATAKA	5,631
8.	KERALA	977
9.	MADHYA PRADESH	23,024
10.	MANIPUR	2,795
11	MIZORAM	776
12.	PUDUCHERRY	98
13.	RAJASTHAN	9,192
14.	TRIPURA	1,038
15.	UTTAR PRADESH	51,974
16.	UTTARAKHAND	7,555
	Total	140,727

With the accessibility of NOFN at 2,50,000 Gram Panchayats a minimal bandwidth of 100 Mbps will be useable at each of GP and will contribute to development of broadband services.

What will be the benefits to States?

Empowerment of rural masses by giving them access to information, public services including those of education, health and financial inclusion.
Several applications for Panchayats for planning, management, monitoring and payments under various government schemes (e.g. MNREGA, PDS, Land Records, Birth/Death Certificates, Digital Literacy, etc.), e-Governance, education, health, employment, agriculture and commerce may be launched using this network
Introduction of local employment, revenue generation and increase of GDP contributing to overall successfulness of the State

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