HIMSWAN - First complete SWAN launched under NeGP with maximum reach and technologically most advanced features

With the launch of Himachal Pradesh State Wide Area Network (HIMSWAN) on 5th Feb, 2008 by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh became the first State in the country to launch State Wide Area Network under National e-Governance Programme (see Recorded Webcast here). The State entered an era of Hi-tech connectivity down to the level of tehsils, sub-tehsils, blocks and even Panchayats. The function held at the H.P. Secretariat was attended by several dignitaries including Ministers; Chief Secretary; Additional Secretary, IT, Government of India; Principal Secretaries; Secretaries, HODs and senior functionaries of IT companies. The HIMSWAN launch was webcast live on official websites of the State and IT Department, so that officers and IT professionals and officers of other States could also see the event live. Top executives of technology partner companies in this project, who could not attend in person, also saw the event globally on the internet.

It was an educative, innovative and high-tech show, which held the audience spell-bound all through. On one hand, there was a comprehensive presentation to answer pertinent questions such as “Why Intranet and not Internet only”, “Unique Features of HIMSWAN”, “Network’s Futuristic Capacity”, “Challenges in Implementation in Hilly Terrain”, “Horizontal Connectivity Options” etc. (download HIMSWAN Launch Presentation). Video-conference with 5 randomly chosen locations (one DHQ, one SDHQ, Two THQs and one remote Panchayat) out of 117 that were connected, enthralled the audience. The Desktop VC even at 384 kbps from THQ and Panchayat was crystal clear and jitter / jerk free. CM’s incisive questions to field officials on various administrative matters caught some of them off-guard. And then a pleasant surprise was sprung at the Chief Minister as well. The Chief Minister’s Head Master in Class 9 & 10 in DAV School, Tauni Devi was face to face with the CM after a very long time. An emotional cord was struck immediately with the CM giving all credit to his headmaster’s blessings and values for his rise in political arena.

The actual launch came thereafter with HP Openview EMS being used to show how any active network component anywhere in the State can be repaired & managed remotely and proactively from the Network Operation Centre only, which was possible only with MLLN (Managed Leased Line Network) at tehsil level (a distinctive feature of HIMSWAN). Four live applications viz. Sarthi, Vahan, CIPA (Police Station Computerisation) and HIMBHOOMI (Land Records Computerisation) were demonstrated to drive home practical utilisation of power of HIMSWAN. All these applications are client-server based with databases being generated at individual sub-divisional level. With these silo databases in a disconnected scenario cross-database queries were not possible due to which tremendous delay and serious administrative problems were being faced in retrieving data in ‘anytime anywhere’ mode. In case of Sarthi and Vahan, database being generated at the sub-divisional level has been replicated in the HIMSWAN Mini Datacenter at the State Headquarter level. The replication is being done on real time basis using replication services of SQL Server Database over HIMSWAN network. These continuously updated databases have been integrated using Integration Services of Biztalk Server into a single consolidated database. This consolidated database can be queried upon and searched online from anywhere over HIMSWAN network. The interface for querying and search has been published on Sharepoint (WSS) Server and the same is also being provided over internet for online access by external world like citizens etc.

With the implementation of HIMSWAN, one can connect to the database of any tehsil or Police Station (in case of HIMBHOOMI and CIPA respectively) using read-only access and IP address of the remote machine. Using this method, operators of the system may take out the copy of RoR of any tehsil sitting at a remote location over HIMSWAN. HIMSWAN based data integration and aggregation in real time shall have all the applications which are still web-based. (see a write-up on Database Application Services on HIMSWAN here)

Speaking on this occasion, (download transcript of Chief Minister’s Speech), Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh said that Himachal Pradesh Government is committed to the use the power of ICT for bringing about systemic changes in administration and thereby bring about socio-economic transformation in the lives of the citizens of this State. Himachal is making quantum leap in this direction by having a State Wide Area Network, which will connect all government, semi-government, autonomous and even private organizations  in rendering “anytime-anywhere” government to citizen, government to government, government to business and other similar services close to the doorstep of the common man. Gradually, this network would become the life-line of the entire government functioning.

He said that it is his aspiration to convert Himachal Pradesh into a knowledge society by harnessing the strength of ICT. He wants to see a society that provides equal opportunity and social justice – a society where opportunities to the people are not hyphenated by their geographical locations or social stratifications. In order to realize this goal, the Himachal Pradesh Government has initiated numerous initiatives in the IT Sector and has emerged as a pioneer in the entire country by earning consistent recognition at various national and international forums besides earning accolades from the experts. He said that he is glad to note that Himachal Pradesh has started pioneering e-Governance initiatives that serve as bench-mark for others to follow.

He said that the Secretariat has to largely depend on the Directorates for data which, in turn, have to rely on their field offices for these inputs. Presently, quite often, the requisite data is received after great delay when it has already become outdated. Now that HIMSWAN is in place, management of data and information can become much easier. Quite a few applications are still client-server based and it requires automated data-aggregation as a make-shift arrangement for web-based applications. All software development agencies including NIC should convert existing client-server packages in to web-based ones without any further delay. Then only strength of HIMSWAN will be fully harnessed and utilised. All the departments must take initiative in this regard, so that generation of information becomes more accurate and easily accessible. In order to accomplish this task, uniform standards and coding must be adopted.

He lauded the Department of Information Technology, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Deputy Commissioners, NIC and all other Technology Partners, which are associated in this mammoth task of undertaking the project with a missionary zeal despite adverse climatic conditions and difficult topography. He was confident that this hard labour put in by these IT professionals shall be utilized by various departments in providing efficient and transparent governance. 

Before this, Mr. Sanjeev Gupta, Secretary IT, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh welcomed all the dignitaries present. He emphasized that this colossal task could be completed in shortest possible time due to excellent team work. In his presentation, he elaborated on unique features of the HIMSWAN (download HIMSWAN Launch Presentation, 5.5 MB).  He said that HIMSWAN is the only SWAN in the country where wireless connectivity has been provided from tehsil, sub-tehsil and block levels to connect horizontal offices as well as institutions located at Panchayat level. Moreover, tertiary level POPs (i.e. tehsil, sub-tehsil and block level) were connected by Managed Leased Line Network (MLLN) unlike ordinary leased line connectivity in some States. This network would also be used by the private parties and NGOs. He said that the difficult terrain (POPs were located at heights of even 14000 feet plus) and hostile climate was a major hurdle and a big challenge in getting bidders to the State. Even then the State managed to get bids from the top notch companies like Airtel, Wipro, HCL, TCS, HP, BEL etc. HIMSWAN Operator was short-listed after an extremely transparent process & fierce competition. 103 IT professionals with pre-defined qualifications and experience are being deployed throughout the State for O&M of SWAN and for technical assistance to various offices. There is also adherence to ISO 27001 standards of security.

Emphasis is on immediate availability of services right since the inception and not merely infrastructure. Thus, basic level web, domain, mail, anti-virus servers have been provided. Simultaneous Video conferencing with 118 POPs is possible. He said that despite the difficult topography and harsh winters, the project was completed in record time at a cost much lower than anywhere else in the country.

Sh. Ravi Dhingra, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh elaborated on the various projects taken up by the Govt. of H.P. in the IT sector (download transcript of Chief Secretary’s Speech) and emphasized upon usage of IT for facilitating development and growth in the state. He spoke regarding Agrisnet, IT park and Computer labs for the colleges in which Govt. colleges are being provided a whole lot of infrastructure along with the computers. He observed that growth in IT sector in the State would also largely tackle the problem of unemployment. He complimented the Department of IT for ‘excellent coordination among various stake-holders in the project’.

Shri R.Chandrashekhar, Additional Secretary, Government of India, spoke on the occasion through Video Conferencing from Delhi. He congratulated the State to achieve this milestone of launching HIMSWAN first in the country and said that the HIMSWAN is in accordance with the National e-governance Plan which is the vision of Govt. of India, focusing on improving the delivery of citizens services. He added that this would help in creating infrastructure to provide Citizen centric services. He pointed out that as per the NeGP model of HIMSWAN both capital and recurring costs are being funded through direct funding and ACA respectively. He lauded the SLA of HIMSWAN by saying that ‘commendable job has been done in case while finalizing SLA’.

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Sh. Karan Bajwa, Group Director, Public Sector, Microsoft India congratulated the State Government for the implementation of such a significant project in a record time. He further assured State Government to provide ‘full support on behalf of Microsoft to make the State of Himachal Pradesh a showcase of latest technologies’. He gave the ‘entire credit for doing an outstanding job ahead of all other SWANs in the country despite difficult terrain to Sh. Sanjeev Gupta, Secretary IT and his team’.

Sh. Nagendra Venkatswamy, Managing Director, Juniper India said that most of the times it is seen that such projects become a Highway without or with little traffic. So Govt. should ensure that this highway is used to its full capacity. He said that Juniper had participated in quite a few other projects such as in Railways, Department of Postal Services but ‘such comprehensive specifications and meticulous scrutiny has never been seen before’. He complimented the entire team led by Secretary IT in doing such a thorough and professional job.

Sh. Ajit Kumar, Country Manager of HP India appreciated the team work in this project and assured HP’s full commitment even during implementation phase and complete adherence to SLA.

Sh. Anil Kaushal, Chief General Manager (BSNL), HP said that this project was a very challenging one given the difficult terrain and lack of adequate infrastructure & manpower. Though the project was not financially viable for BSNL, but keeping in view the citizen centric services, HIMSWAN would offer to the people of the State, BSNL decided to take up the project. He further informed that broadband would now be available on demand.

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HODs/MDs/State Government Officers, Officers from  NIC, BSNL and Banks were also present.

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