NHAI to develop 10,000 kms of ‘Digital Highways’ in India by 2025: The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is preparing to develop around 10,000 km of optic fiber cable (OFC) infrastructure across India by the financial year 2025.
An overview of the news
This move is aimed at providing internet connectivity to remote locations and expediting the roll-out of new-age telecom technologies like 5G & 6G. The NHAI’s fully-owned special purpose vehicle, the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), will be implementing the network of digital highways by developing integrated utility corridors along the national highways to develop OFC infrastructure.
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The pilot routes for the ‘digital highway’ development have been identified as 1,367 kilometres on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway and 512 km on the Hyderabad-Bangalore corridor.
3-meter utility corridor on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
Recently, the 246-km Delhi-Dausa-Lalsot section of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was inaugurated, with a dedicated utility corridor of three meters used for laying optical fiber cables. It will serve as the backbone for the roll-out of 5G networks in the region. OFC laying along National Highways has started and is targeted to be completed in about a year.
Importance of ‘Digital Highway’
The creation of a ‘Digital Highway’ will not only have a positive impact on the country’s growth and development, but will also contribute to its digital transformation. The OFC network will facilitate internet connectivity in remote areas across India and help the country move towards modern age telecom technologies like 5G and 6G.
About National Highways Authority of India (NHAI)
It is an independent organisation established in 1995 by the Government of India. NHAI manages and maintains a vast network of more than 50,000 km of National Highways across India, which represents about 40% of the total length of National Highways in the country. NHAI is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the quality of National Highways in India and ensuring their smooth operation for the benefit of road users. As a nodal agency of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, NHAI plays a vital role in formulating policies related to highways and implementing them effectively.
Establishment -1988
Headquarters – New Delhi
Chairman – Santosh Kumar Yadav