PM asks Telecom Min to expedite NOFN

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Telecom Ministry to ensure timely implementation of the 

ambitious nationwide broadband project, National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN), the progress of which would be reviewed next month.

As part of Digital India programme, the NOFN aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by December 2016 and the estimated cost of the project is around Rs 30,000 crore.

The Prime Minister reviewed the progress of various projects under the Digital India programme and also the NOFN in the last week of December.

During the meeting, Modi stressed on the need to meet the deadline for the NOFN project and instructed officials to closely monitor its progress, an official said, adding that the next review is likely by the first week of March.