Wi-Max For the Jungles

Having worked in Chhattisgarh for three years, the forests of Bastar always remain a source of interest. I found an interesting article about the use of technology and some of the innovative projects being undertaken by the Government.  

Chhattisgarh to fight Maoists with technology

Source: India-E Gov Yahoogroup 

Chhattisgarh is looking at advanced technology to strengthen its armoury against Maoist guerrillas. The state has submitted a proposal to the central government to introduce Wi-Max (wireless maximum) technology for monitoring the movement of the rebels. It would require setting up towers across the state, including in the 6,000-sq km Bastar region that has Maoist training camps and explosives units. Implementation of the project will help the authorities monitor the movement of Maoists and send pictures and information about their physical movement within seconds to the police.

It will also help in locating their camps and explosives manufacturing units. The state government submitted the proposal on State Wide Area Network (SWAN), drafted by the Chhattisgarh Infotech and Biotech Promotion Society (CHIPS), to the union ministry of IT last month. The central government has agreed in principle to accept the Rs.1.5 billion SWAN proposal and fund it to the extent of Rs.800 million. "Once the SWAN is cleared by the central government, for which they have agreed in principle, we will start installing 50-60-metre height towers in all the 146 blocks in the state," Aman Singh, chief executive officer of CHIPS, told IANS. "The towers will have 60 km footprints connectivity and will be operated by Wi-Max technology, which will enable the people to send and receive e-mail, picture transmission, data and fax through single mode of communication," he said. A hand-held device, Simputer (simple computer), will be used for transmission of data, picture and texts. CHIPS has already started providing simputers to government officials and elected Panchayat representatives. It will take five years to complete the project, but the first phase will be executed within one year. Implementation of the project will allow the police to monitor the Bastar and Surguja regions of the state. Bastar, which borders Maharashtra, is covered by thick forest and has never been surveyed till date. The more than 6,000 sq km area has been a safe haven for the guerrillas. "Let 2007 come, the police will get live pictures of physical movement of Maoists including those in the dense forest areas," said Singh. Chief Minister Raman Singh expressed hope that the new initiative will come as "a perfect solution to tackle the three-decade old Maoist insurgency". "SWAN will bring a communication revolution to Chhattisgarh, which has been battling with Maoist ultras for decades. The project will boost e-governance system and help police to track down the extremists," he said