Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Thursday told Parliament that BharatNet, one of the world’s largest government-led connectivity programmes, is playing a transformative role in bridging India’s digital divide and expanding broadband access across rural and remote regions. Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on 12 February 2026, the Minister said BharatNet is central to the Government of India’s vision of providing internet connectivity to every citizen and building an inclusive, digitally empowered society.
He noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has witnessed an unprecedented expansion in mobile and broadband connectivity over the past eleven years, driving a historic digital transformation.
India’s Digital Leap: Key Connectivity Milestones
Highlighting the scale of India’s digital expansion, Shri Scindia informed the House that:
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Mobile subscribers have increased from 930 million in 2014 to 1.2 billion, with penetration rising from 75% to 92%.
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Internet subscribers have grown from 250 million to over 1 billion, with penetration rising from 20% to nearly 71.8%.
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Broadband subscribers have surged from 61 million to over 1 billion.
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The average fixed broadband speed now stands at around 61.55 Mbps, reflecting significant improvements in network quality and infrastructure.
These figures, the Minister said, underscore the depth of India’s digital transformation and the success of sustained policy focus on connectivity.
BharatNet: Connecting India’s Gram Panchayats
BharatNet provides connectivity by laying Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) across gram panchayats. Out of 2.56 lakh gram panchayats in the country, nearly 2.14 lakh have already been connected under BharatNet Phases I and II, at an approximate cost of ₹42,000 crore.
In Tamil Nadu, the State opted to implement the project through its special purpose vehicle Tanfinet instead of BSNL. Out of 12,525 gram panchayats, 10,869 have been connected so far. The remaining gram panchayats and 4,767 non-gram panchayat villages will be covered under the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP)—a $16.9 billion initiative and the largest government-led connectivity programme globally.
National Broadband Mission 2.0: Roadmap to 2030
The Minister also outlined the progress and targets under National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0, launched on 1 April 2025, which sets out seven key goals for 2030:
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OFC connectivity with 95% uptime achieved in 42,000 villages as of December 2025; target 2.7 lakh villages by 2030.
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Broadband connectivity to anchor institutions (schools, anganwadis, panchayat offices) at 68.8%, with a target of 90% by 2030.
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Average fixed broadband speed at 61.55 Mbps, with a target of 100 Mbps by 2030.
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Right of Way (ROW) application disposal time reduced from 455 days to 30.4 days, achieving the 2030 target ahead of schedule.
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Fibre mapping across government PSUs at 94% under PM GatiShakti, with a target of 100% by March.
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Rural internet subscribers per 100 population at 47.16, with a target of 60 by 2030.
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Use of sustainable energy in mobile towers at 12.38%, with a target of 30% by 2030.
ROW Reforms and the Call for State Cooperation
Out of 36 States and Union Territories, 33 have implemented the Telecommunications Right of Way (ROW) Rules, 2024. However, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are among the States where compliance is still pending.
The national average for ROW application processing now stands at 30.4 days, while in Tamil Nadu it is 85 days, nearly three times the national average. Shri Scindia stressed that state cooperation in implementing ROW regulations and portals will be critical to accelerating broadband rollout and ensuring timely benefits to citizens.
“Continued Centre–State collaboration will be crucial in achieving the 2030 broadband targets and ensuring inclusive digital growth across rural and remote regions,” the Minister said.
Tamil Nadu: Status Under the National Broadband Mission
In a detailed written reply, Shri Scindia outlined the progress in Tamil Nadu:
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OFC connectivity with 95% uptime is available in 4,325 villages as of January 2026.
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Broadband connectivity to anchor institutions stands at 84.74% (December 2025).
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Fixed broadband download speeds average 61.55 Mbps (as per Ookla, December 2025).
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ROW application disposal time averages 84.9 days in FY 2025–26.
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Rural internet subscribers per 100 population stand at 54.53 (September 2025).
Under various projects, including BharatNet and the 4G saturation project, telecom infrastructure has expanded rapidly, with 255 4G BTSs deployed to cover 297 villages. A total of 3,08,907 route kilometres of OFC have been laid by all facility providers, including around 55,000 route kilometres under BharatNet.
The Amended BharatNet Programme in Tamil Nadu plans to provide FTTH connections to 5,27,506 households over the next ten years. So far, ₹1,883.17 crore has been allocated and utilised under various schemes, and the Centre intends to allocate an additional ₹1,632 crore (excluding GST), including OPEX for ten years, for the programme.
Conclusion
Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia’s statement in Parliament underscores how BharatNet and National Broadband Mission 2.0 are reshaping India’s digital landscape. With over 2.14 lakh gram panchayats already connected and more than one billion internet and broadband subscribers, India’s connectivity push is entering a new phase focused on quality, speed, and universal access. The emphasis on ROW reforms and Centre–State cooperation will be critical in translating this ambitious roadmap into on-ground outcomes and ensuring that digital growth remains inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready.
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Source: PIB
