More than two lakh gram panchayats across India have been equipped to offer high-speed internet services under a key rural connectivity initiative, Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, SP Singh Baghel, told the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written response, Baghel shared that the BharatNet project – rolled out in phases by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) – will likely provide affordable broadband access to every gram panchayat in the country.
He highlighted that all service providers can access the network infrastructure built under the BharatNet initiative, which they consider a national asset.
Additionally, service providers can use it for various broadband services, including Fibre to the Home (FTTH), leased lines, dark fibre, and mobile tower backhaul.
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According to the minister, as of February 2025, a total of 2,14,323 gram panchayats, made service-ready under the project.
Baghel further informed that the Union Cabinet has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), which follows a ‘design, build, operate and maintain’ (DBOM) model.
This includes upgrading the current network built in Phases I and II, setting up connectivity in nearly 42,000 gram panchayats that are still pending, and maintaining the network for 10 years.
He added that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will provide 1.5 crore FTTH connections to households over the next five years.
Officials expect to complete the revised program by March 2027.
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