Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the Multi-Protocol Label Switching Virtual Private Networking (RD-MPLS VPN) System for the Rural Development Department on virtual platform.

Speaking on the occasion after launching the system, the Chief Minister said this networking system will provide internal connectivity to the offices of the department at local level, where internet connectivity is inadequate.

The Rural Development Department, which has the mandate for rural infrastructure development, is connecting its 247 offices through its own networking system called RD MPLS Network.

Through this network, all offices starting from the Lokseva Bhawan to Sub-Divisions will be connected in one network with uninterrupted internet facility.

The Chief Minister expressed happiness over the Rural Development Department’s efforts to strengthen the 5T initiative of the State Government to bring about transformative changes by introducing technology intensive applications.

This network will facilitate the use of online web-based applications to be used at field levels and further the 5T initiative in bringing transparency, effective monitoring and grievance redressal.

The Chief Minister further said that the Rural Development Department is already implementing web-based applications for an array of services including tendering, maintenance management, works and accounts management, financial management, grievance redressal and several other services.

Lauding the endeavour of the department for making end-to-end automation in the whole tendering process, he said that this will avoid human interface and thus bring in more efficiency and transparency in the management of the entire work cycle.

He expressed confidence that with the help of these technologies, the department will be able to closely monitor the progress of the projects.

It may be mentioned here that the Rural Development Department has developed infrastructure facilities with over 1 lakh km of rural roads, facilities on 60 lakh square metres of area, 1,400 completed bridges and 600 bridges under construction.

The system will help closely monitor the progress and maintenance of these infrastructure.

Among others, Rural Development Minister Sushant Singh, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Secretary to Chief Minister VK Pandian, Development Commissioner PK Jena and senior officials were present in the programme.