Lok Sabha Question No. 3123 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-11
Subject: National Broadband Mission in West Bengal
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Saumitra Khan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3123 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH  MARCH, 2026

## NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION IN WEST BENGAL

## 3123.   SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is implementing the National Broadband Mission (NBM) with the objective of expanding high-speed internet and digital infrastructure across the country particularly in rural and remote areas of West Bengal including Bankura district;

(b) if so, the details of the progress made under the NBM in West Bengal especially in Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency;

(c) whether any timelines have been set for universal broadband coverage in all villages and hamlets of Bankura under the NBM and if so, the expected date of completion; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to bridge the digital divide in backward and tribal blocks of  Bankura  including  the  provision  of  affordable  internet,  digital  devices  and  localised  digital content?

## ANSWER

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

(a), (b) & (d) Yes Sir. The Government has taken the following key measures to fast-track the rapid expansion of digital communications infrastructure, bridge the digital and socio-economic divide, ensuring high-speed broadband and meaningful connectivity for all across the country, including rural and remote areas of West Bengal including Bankura district.

- i. Launched the centralized Right of Way (RoW) portal on May 14, 2022, thus facilitating the streamlining of the RoW permissions for the deployment of telecom infrastructure viz. optical fiber cable (OFC) laying and telecom tower installation.
- ii. Process to obtain RoW permissions and applicable charges was further made uniform through Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 (RoW Rules 2024) under 'The Telecommunications Act, 2023'. The rules are effective from January 01, 2025. The rules are  further  streamlining  and  expediting  the  telecom  infrastructure  deployment  in  the country.

The  centralized  RoW  portal  has  been  further  upgraded  in  majority  of  States  and  UTs  in accordance with the central RoW Rules, 2024. Most States and UTs have issued orders/notifications directing the concerned departments and local bodies to follow the central RoW Rules, 2024. A few States have yet to issue such orders, including West Bengal. The Government has also requested the

State of West Bengal multiple times to issue the necessary orders/notifications and upgrade its RoW portal in line with the central RoW Rules, 2024.

The  Department  of  Telecommunications  (DoT)  is  further  ensuring  stable  broadband connectivity in rural & remote areas (including backward and tribal blocks) and bridging the digital divide through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Key initiatives include:

- i. The  BharatNet  project  for  providing  broadband  to  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs)  and villages (on demand).
- ii. Various schemes for high-speed internet/broadband and mobile services (including 4G) in remote areas, such as the North-East, Islands, LWE (Left-Wing Extremism)affected regions, Aspirational Districts, and border villages.

On 4.8.2023, the Union Cabinet approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) for upgradation of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs, operation  and  maintenance  for  10  years  and  utilization.  The  connectivity  to  remaining  non-GP villages is proposed to be provided on demand basis from their respective GPs.

In West Bengal, a total of 2,677 GPs out of 3,340 have been made service-ready. Further, 663 GPs are planned under ABP.  In Bankura district, all 190 GPs are made service ready. 37 GPs of Bishnupur Lok Sabha Constituency have been made service ready under BharatNet project.

Under  the  LWE-I  (Left-Wing  Extremism)  scheme,  mobile  towers  are  functional  at  five locations of Bankura in West Bengal.

- (c) In Bankura district, all 190 GPs have been made service ready.

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