Lok Sabha Question No. 21 (STARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: Bharat Net Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 21 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12 th   DECEMBER, 2018

## BHARAT NET PROJECT

- *21. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Bharat Net Project seeks to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country through high speed broadband by March, 2019 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  instructed  both  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited (BSNL) and Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) to submit reports on every day basis on the progress made in the Bharat Net Project and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is true that  there  is a  shirking  of  responsibility  along  with  inability  to resolve on-field problems and inter organisational issues between BBNL and BSNL, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  it  is  also  a  fact  that  this  is  not  only  hampering  progress  of  this  vital project but is now threatening to derail even earlier achievement of the past four years and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (d) A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Contd………2/-

## STATEMENT  TO  BE  LAID  ON  THE  TABLE  OF  LOK  SABHA  IN  RESPECT  OF PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  *21  FOR  12 TH DECEMBER, 2018 ON 'BHARAT NET PROJECT'.

(a)

- i. BharatNet  is  being  implemented  in  a  phased  manner  to  provide  high  speed broadband  connectivity  to  all  the  Gram  Panchayats  (approx.  2.5  lakh)  in  the country.  BharatNet  Phase  I  to  connect  1,00,000  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  has been completed in December 2017. The project is a national asset and middle layer  of  the  communications  network.  Service  Providers  and  the  States  are  to utilize  the  network  to  provide  services.  All  Service  Providers  are  to  be  provided non-discriminatory access to the network.
- ii. On  19.07.2017,  a  modified  strategy  for  implementing  BharatNet  has  been approved  by  the  Union  Cabinet.  Under  this  strategy,  the  remaining  1,50,000 (approx.) Gram Panchayats (GPs) are to be provided with broadband connectivity in Phase-II of the project. The total cost of BharatNet approved by the Cabinet is Rs. 42,068 crore. The Phase II implementation is by connecting GPs through an optimal mix of media (i.e. OFC, radio and satellite) and  by the three models of implementation; i.e. State-led model, Private Sector, CPSU model. New OFC is to be laid from Block to GPs.
- iii.  The Phase-II of the project is under implementation, mainly through Engineering Procurement  and  Construction  (EPC)  mode  of  implementation,  where  life-time maintenance of the BharatNet infrastructure is to  be  done  by  the  Implementing Agencies. The project is being implemented by three models of implementation; 8  States  covering  61,492  GPs  are  implementing  the  project  under  State-led model; about 6500 GPs in NER, J&K etc. are being connected by Satellite; and 7494  GPs  in  two  States  are  being  implemented  by  BBNL  through  EPC contractors. For the remaining GPs, CPSUs BSNL & PGCIL have been assigned the work of implementation of the project.
- iv.  As on 02.12.2018, a total of  3,01,154  Km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) has been laid connecting 1,21,652 GPs by OFC, of which 1,16,411  GPs are service ready.

(b) to (d) No, Madam. The Department of Telecommunications is taking necessary steps, along with BBNL and BSNL, to ensure effective maintenance and utilization of the BharatNet infrastructure.

- i.  Network Operating Centre (NOC) is set up to monitor the operation of the network and  the  project  is  presently  in  implementation  phase.  To  monitor  connectivity daily, NOC reports are being sought from BSNL & BBNL.  The progress is being monitored on a regular basis.
- ii.  To  ensure  better  utilization  of  BharatNet,  a Wi-Fi network is being set up under the project. On an average, 3 Government Institutions at GP level such as Police Station, Post Office, School, Hospital and citizens at GP are being connected and average 5 Wi-Fi Access Points (AP) are being set up at each GP.

*****************