BSNL to expand 3G consumer base in Punjab

BSNL to expand its 3G base in Punjab
Nation’s leading telecommunications company, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL), is contemplating adding 100,000 3G subscribers in the Punjab telecom circle by next year.

Presently, the telecom company has 5000 3G customers in the Punjab region. However, the company is hopeful of expanding its consumer base once the service reaches out across all the areas in the region.

BSNL’s 3G service was first launched in February 2009 in Jalandhar, followed by Chandigarh. And now the telecom company plans to launch the service in other areas including Moga, Ferozpur, Muktsar, Faridkot and Sangrur by the end of this year.

Punjab Telecom Circle Chief General Manager P K Paliwal said, “We will roll out our services in the remaining areas by the end of this financial year. Although at present we have 5,000 3G customers across the state, I think acceptance will increase exponentially when the services are available across the state.We expect to add 95,000 3G customers by March 2010.”

Centre approves the setting up of IIIT in Punjab
In a move that is likely to boost the education sector in Punjab, the centre has given approval for the setting up of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the state.

The institution will be set up as a public-private enterprise, and will have equal shares of the Center, Punjab government, and a private partner.

It is contemplated that the institution would be established over an area of 100 acres. However, the state has yet to decide on the exact location for the setting of the institution.

Some other influential institutes recently opened in the state are Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Ropar, and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), the Indian Institute of Nano-Science Technology (INST), the Agri-Food Biotech Park and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Mohali.

Amritsar to be an international tourist place
Amritsar, the historic city of Punjab, will soon become a global tourist spot. The state government is working on a mega crore plan to put the city on the international tourism map.

The mega plan involves construction of heritage village, preservation and beautification of Ram Bagh Gardens, preservation of the historic Town Hall building, setting up of food street, development of pedestrian plaza opposite the Golden Temple, restoration and preservation of historic gates and massive restoration of Gobindgarh Fort, together with strengthening the infrastructure of the city to make it tourist-friendly.

In a high profile meeting held in the city on Friday, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal approved the plan and said, “Amritsar has a potential to emerge as No.1 international tourist hub, if we are able to prolong the stay of religious tourists by a few days and attract more international tourists.”