Union Minister for Communications and Development of the Northeastern Region Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia informed the Rajya Sabha that BharatNet has evolved into the foundation of India’s digital infrastructure, enabling high-quality broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and villages across the country. Presenting achievements and the future roadmap of the Department of Telecommunications, the Minister said the government’s vision is to deliver world-class, fast and reliable internet to every citizen, driving transformation in governance, education, healthcare, business, and employment.
97% Gram Panchayat Connectivity Achieved Under BharatNet-1 and BharatNet-2
Shri Scindia stated that under BharatNet-1 and BharatNet-2, the target was to connect over 2.22 lakh Gram Panchayats nationwide.
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So far, around 2.15 lakh GPs (nearly 97%) have been connected
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Close to 7 lakh kilometres of optical fibre cable (OFC) have been laid
This connectivity has significantly strengthened e-governance services, digital payments, online education, telemedicine, and rural entrepreneurship, helping bridge the urban-rural digital divide.
Amended BharatNet Scheme: World’s Largest Rural Broadband Programme
The Minister highlighted that the Amended BharatNet Scheme, approved during late 2023–2024, represents the world’s largest capital expenditure broadband programme, with a total outlay of ₹1.40 lakh crore (around USD 16 billion). By integrating rural India into the digital economy and ensuring equitable access to opportunities, the programme is laying the foundation for an inclusive, empowered, and digitally strong India.
Key objectives and upgrades under the scheme include:
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Extending connectivity beyond GPs to nearly 6.5 lakh villages
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Connecting around 47,000 additional Gram Panchayats
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Upgrading network from linear to ring topology for 100% redundancy
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Providing up to 25 Mbps broadband directly to households
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Shifting technology from GPON to MPLS for higher efficiency
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Establishing State-level (S-NOC) and Central Network Operating Centres (C-NOC) for 24×7 monitoring
These upgrades are expected to greatly enhance network reliability, speed, and service continuity, ensuring uninterrupted digital access.
BharatNet Udyami Model to Boost Rural Employment and Entrepreneurship
Shri Scindia informed the House about the launch of the BharatNet Udyami (BNU) Model, designed to link rural connectivity with self-employment and entrepreneurship.
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So far, 7,570 BharatNet Udyamis have been selected
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The remaining 3.8 lakh+ villages will be covered through a demand-driven model
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Capital and operational subsidies will be provided to BNUs for last-mile connectivity
This model is expected to create large-scale local employment, strengthen rural digital services, and empower village-level entrepreneurs.
1.5 Crore FTTH Connections Targeted Nationwide
The government aims to deliver 1.5 crore Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections under the BharatNet framework.
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More than 14 lakh FTTH connections have already been provided
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As network expansion continues, fibre connectivity is expected to reach every household
The Minister said this will unlock new opportunities in education, healthcare, agriculture, start-ups, e-commerce, and skill development, especially in rural India.
Gujarat Achieves 100% Targets, Set for Further Expansion
Responding to a state-specific question, Shri Scindia said Gujarat has achieved 100% coverage under BharatNet-2, connecting 14,320 Gram Panchayats.
Under the Amended Scheme, further expansion includes:
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Upgradation of 14,294 GPs
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Ring topology conversion for 26 GPs
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New fibre laying in 30,000+ villages
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Demand-based connectivity for 3,895 villages
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Total investment of around ₹5,691 crore
A quadripartite agreement has been signed between the Government of Gujarat, GFGNL, Digital Bharat Nidhi, and BSNL to accelerate implementation.
Conclusion
Concluding his reply, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that BharatNet is not merely a connectivity project but a transformative national digital mission. By integrating rural India into the digital economy and ensuring equitable access to opportunities, the programme is laying the foundation for an inclusive, empowered, and digitally strong India. This connectivity has significantly strengthened e-governance services, digital payments, online education, telemedicine, and rural entrepreneurship, helping bridge the urban-rural digital divide.
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Source: PIB
