Bharti to connect 13,716 panchayats in Gujarat

New Delhi, Oct 8 (UNI) Country's top mobile operator Bharti Airtel has partnered with Gujarat government to set up telecom infrastructure in the state and will connect 13,716 village panchayats and common service centres (CSCs).

Under the eGRAM Connectivity Infrastructure Project, the panchayat offices and eGRAMs will form a powerful socio-economic network supporting information dissemination and will facilitate e-governance initiatives in the state.

The project will ensure high quality and cost-effective video, voice and data services in the areas of agriculture, e-governance, health and education at village panchayats, company said in a statement. The connectivity will also facilitate point to point and point to multipoint video conferencing services, VOIP services and both intra and Internet services from these village panchayats and common service centres.

''We are delighted to partner with the Gujarat government in innovative and novel project of empowering its citizens,'' company's President and CEO Manoj Kohli said.

Bharti Airtel was chosen for this project owing to this unique VSAT-based last mile solution backed by a strong delivery plan to reach out to the rural masses.

The project roll-out is expected to take place in a fast-track mode with completion slated for March 2008.

UNI