Govt Expands Broadband Reach in Rural India via NBM

24 Mar 2025 CW Team

The Government of India is taking significant steps to enhance broadband connectivity in rural areas through the National Broadband Mission (NBM), including initiatives in Tamil Nadu.

Key Initiatives Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal, launched on 14th May 2022, streamlines Right of Way (RoW) approvals for laying optical fibre cables (OFC) and installing telecom towers. Telecommunications Act 2023 and Right of Way Rules 2024 (effective 1st January 2025) further simplify RoW permissions to accelerate network expansion. BharatNet Project aims to provide broadband access to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand. High-speed internet schemes target remote regions, including the North-East, Islands, LWE-affected areas, Aspirational Districts, and border villages. Submarine optical fibre cables connect Chennai–Andaman & Nicobar and Kochi–Lakshadweep, improving connectivity in coastal regions.

Tamil Nadu Leads in Broadband Expansion Under the state-led model, the government has invested Rs 15.44 billion, of which Rs 10.93 billion has been utilised as of February 2025. 10,298 out of 12,524 Gram Panchayats are now service-ready, with 53,511 km of Optical Fibre Cable laid.

NBM 2.0 to Launch in April 2025 Building on the success of NBM 1.0, the second phase, starting 1st April 2025, will accelerate India's digital transformation and boost global competitiveness. This information was shared by Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, in a Rajya Sabha reply on 20th March 2025.

Resources

03 Jun 2026

Jyoti Structures Launches Heat Safety Drive Across Sites

Jyoti Structures (JSL) has strengthened heat safety measures across its project sites and manufacturing facilities as temperatures rise across India. The company has implemented a Summer Safety Plan covering all transmission line projects to address risks related to heat stress, dehydration and worker fatigue.The initiative includes rescheduling work away from peak afternoon temperatures, provision of drinking water, ORS and lemon-salt solutions, and installation of rest shelters near work areas. Daily toolbox talks, worker health monitoring, first-aid preparedness, emergency transport arrange..

MHADA Declares 82 Buildings Most Dangerous in Central and South Mumbai

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) has declared 82 buildings as most dangerous across Central and South Mumbai and has appealed to residents to vacate immediately. The list, prepared after structural assessments by the authority, identifies buildings judged to pose imminent risk to occupants and to passersby. Local civic bodies have been asked to coordinate evacuations and to make arrangements for temporary shelter and rehabilitation for displaced households. Officials said the authority prioritised buildings with visible structural distress, severe cracking, tiltin..

Damage Reported At Halwara Airport Terminal After First Rains

Severe damage was reported at the terminal of Halwara Airport during the first major rain spell of the season, prompting immediate concern among aviation and local authorities. Images from the site showed water ingress and visible deterioration of the terminal interior, affecting passenger areas and ancillary services. The airport authority suspended certain operations temporarily to assess structural safety and ensure passenger wellbeing. Preliminary inspections have prioritised electrical systems and roof seals to prevent further water ingress. State aviation officials ordered a formal inqui..