GUWAHATI: The Proof of Concept (PoC) field trials for India's Broadband Public Protection and Disaster Relief (BBPPDR) network were successfully conducted in Guwahati from June 29 to July 1, demonstrating strong performance across critical field test indicators including operational readiness, seamless interoperability, reliable voice and broadband data services, coverage effectiveness, network resilience, and mission-critical functionalities essential for public safety and disaster response.
ALSO READ: Assam Rifles, Authorities Conduct Biometric Registration Drive for Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Manipur’s Kamjong
The PoC was chaired by Akhilesh Kumar Singh, IPS, Inspector General of Police (Law & Order), Assam Police, and Chairman of the Guwahati State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC) for the BBPPDR project. Senior officials from the DCPW (Ministry of Home Affairs), Assam Police, Department of Telecommunications, Central Reserve Police Force, and other Central Armed Police Forces participated actively in the exercises.
Representatives from DCPW, MHA, included Deputy Director K. Elamurugan, and Assistant Directors Ankit Adjariya, Vivek Gupta and Sunil Kumar, along with Communication Officer Kunal Pal. Other prominent participants included Biraj Das, Senior Superintendent of Police (Communication), Assam Police and State Nodal Officer for BBPPDR in Assam; Md. Sadeque Ali Ahmed, APS, Senior Superintendent of Police, State Fire Service Organisation; Naveen Kumar, Director, Department of Telecommunications; Y. N. Rai, Commandant, CRPF; and Abhijnan Tamuly Rajkhowa, Communication Expert, ASDMA.
A state-of-the-art Dispatcher Console was deployed at the conference hall of the Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Guwahati, for the exercise.
The field trials rigorously evaluated BBPPDR network performance through practical scenarios, focusing on real-time interoperability among multiple agencies, Mission Critical Push-to-Talk capabilities, high-priority data throughput for video streaming and situational awareness applications, system behaviour under simulated emergency conditions, and overall reliability for first responders.
During the trials, comprehensive training and briefing sessions were organised, and MCC handheld devices were distributed to key disaster response agencies including Assam Police, Fire & Emergency Services, the National Disaster Response Force, the State Disaster Response Force, and various Central Armed Police Forces. Telecom service provider Airtel extended full network support throughout the exercise.
The BBPPDR project envisions a robust, nationwide integrated broadband communication network based on advanced 3GPP standards, aimed at providing dedicated, secure, and resilient connectivity to first responders, enabling faster coordination, enhanced situational awareness, and significantly improved emergency preparedness and disaster management capabilities across the country.
The successful completion of the Guwahati PoC field trials underscores collaboration between central and state agencies. A detailed debriefing session was scheduled to be held the same day under the chairmanship of the Special Secretary, MHA, in New Delhi, to be attended by Guwahati SLCC Chairman Akhilesh Kumar Singh, State Nodal Officer Biraj Das, and senior officers from Assam Police, ASDMA, DCPW, DoT, and Central Armed Police Forces. The debriefing was expected to comprehensively review the achieved KPIs and outline the roadmap for nationwide implementation.
Officials said the milestone PoC in Guwahati represents a major step forward in realising India's vision of a secure, resilient, and high-performance BBPPDR ecosystem tailored to the country's public safety and disaster relief requirements.