From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Apr 12: The State Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a Rs 800 crore second phase of the Karnataka State Wide Area Network (KSWAN) that seeks to establish a state information highway connecting its 10,000 offices across the State as part of strengthening e-governance initiative.
Briefing reporters on the decisions taken by the State Cabinet, Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra said the Bengaluru-based Wipro Technologies has bagged the contract for Rs 615 crore for implementing the project.
The Central Government-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been awarded the work of providing broad-band width for Rs 185 crore for five years.
The first phase of KSWAN was launched during the tenure of former Chief Minister B S. Yeddyurappa in 2009.
The KSWAN will help enhance the efficiency of administration, delivery of services of various government departments.
The project has been dubbed as a boon to ensure better delivery of government services.
The e-governance project provides a highly ’reliable, robust and secure’ communication corridor between the Government at all levels - state, district and taluks - covering 10,000 offices, the Minister said.
An administrative approval was given for establishment of a City Armed Reserve battalion at Ullal village in Yeshwanthpur Hobli in Bengaluru North Taluk on 21.34 acres.
A sum of Rs 200 crore, Rs 50 crore and Rs 25.60 crore respectively has been approved for undertaking drainage works in Uttara Kannada district’s Bhatkal, Periyapatna in Mysuru district and Hosadurga in Chitradurga district respectively.
The Minister K Lakshmana, Assistant Executive Engineer, Karanja project, Bidar, dismissed from the service following the criminal charges proved against him.
The State Cabinet also approved Rs 27.28 crore for construction of 4-lane rail over bridge and approach road between Desur and Belagavi stations.
Rs 96.02 crore has been approved for construction Karnataka Judicial Academy building on Crescent Road in Bengaluru.
The State Cabinet also approved construction of a bus terminal at Hoskote in Bengaluru Rural district on 1.30 acres at a cost of Rs 20 crore.