The Gujarat government has earmarked Rs 135 crore in this year’s budget to enhance the Gujarat State Wide Area Network (GSWAN) infrastructure, as disclosed by Science and Technology Minister Arjun Modhwadia in the Assembly. This investment is aimed at fortifying the state’s digital framework and enhancing the security and efficiency of the network that links government offices across Gujarat. The GSWAN network, which commenced in 2001 at 34 Mbps, has undergone significant expansion since its inception.
“Gujarat has consistently been at the forefront in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India,” highlighted the minister during the Assembly session. He emphasized that the state has continuously upgraded its data network infrastructure to facilitate digital governance and administrative connectivity. Notably, district collector offices in Gujarat are now interconnected through the network with speeds reaching up to 1 Gbps.
At the taluka level, mamlatdar and other government offices have been granted connectivity ranging from 200 Mbps to 500 Mbps, enhancing communication and data exchange within the state administration. Gujarat has secured a prominent position in the nation by establishing a robust data network infrastructure through the GSWAN system, according to Modhwadia. The state government also aims to extend digital connectivity beyond government offices, intending to provide data network connectivity from districts to talukas and from talukas to citizens’ residences through the Gujarat Fibre Grid network.
The minister further outlined that the government has implemented measures to tackle technical issues related to the network, including the establishment of a state-level help desk system to efficiently address and monitor complaints regarding GSWAN services. Regular monitoring of complaint statuses ensures consistent service quality and prompt issue resolution. The GSWAN network acts as the foundation for various government services and digital platforms utilized by departments across Gujarat, facilitating administrative coordination and the delivery of online public services.
