Lok Sabha Question No. 2988 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Prompt Service and Active Utilisation of Connectivity
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Smt. Bharti Pardhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2988 ANSWERED ON 6 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## PROMPT SERVICE AND ACTIVE UTILISATION OF CONNECTIVITY

## †2988.  SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the BharatNet project has been frequently delayed and whether the timelines fixed for the years 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2023 have been lapsed;
- (b) if so, the revised timeline fixed to achieve 100% Gram Panchayat connectivity;
- (c) the  specific  measures  being  taken  to  avoid  further  delays  especially  in  the  areas  facing challenges;
- (d) the  current  status  of  2.5  lakh  Gram  Panchayats  targeted  under  the  BharatNet  project particularly with  regard to prompt service and active utilisation of connectivity provided by July 2025, State-wise including those in Madhya Pradesh;
- (e) whether CAG and other reports have highlighted underutilisation of funds and infrastructure created under BharatNet; and
- (f) if  so,  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  optimal  utilisation  of  existing infrastructure and to address lack of awareness and digital literacy among the targeted beneficiaries?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) to (c) BharatNet is a mega project, widely dispersed across remotest corners of the country, covering difficult terrains (Hilly/ Rocky) and also difficult to access Left-wing extremism (LWE) affected areas. The project implementation of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II faced challenges due to various reasons like delay in obtaining Right of Way permissions from State agencies especially in forest areas, movement restrictions due to Covid- pandemic, damage of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) due  to  development  works  such as water  pipe  line  laying,  road  widening  and  other  construction activities.  As on 30.06.2025, 2,14,325 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready out of planned 2,22,343 GPs under BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II.

In  the  meanwhile Amended BharatNet Program is approved by Cabinet in August' 2023, under which  appointment of BSNL as Project management agency, setting up of Central and State Network  operation  centre  (NOC)  for  monitoring,  OFC  connectivity  from  block  to  GP  in  ring topology and use of alternative technology to ensure its smooth implementation. The government has notified Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 that has streamlined RoW clearance process.  The  timeline  for  completion  of  the  construction  phase  under  the  Amended  BharatNet Program is three years from date of signing of agreement and then O&M for seven years will start.

- (d) Total  number  of  Gram  Panchayats  (GP)  made  service-ready  under  BharatNet  across  the country  including  Madhya  Pradesh  is  2,14,325.  State/UT-wise  list  of  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs) provided with broadband connectivity under the BharatNet project is available on Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
- (e) & (f) No CAG audit report on BharatNet has been received in this Ministry till date.

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