Bhubaneswar: Odisha received a major boost to its digital infrastructure on Wednesday with the Centre approving an additional ₹3,384 crore under Phase-III of the BharatNet project, while the state government signed two key agreements to accelerate broadband expansion and the adoption of emerging technologies.
The investment, sanctioned under the Digital India Mission, will enable the upgradation of all 6,799 gram panchayats using Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP MPLS) technology in a ring topology and extend Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connectivity to villages over the next three years. The project is being implemented under the guidance of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
Officials said the expanded BharatNet network will provide high-speed internet connectivity to more than 50,000 villages, strengthening access to digital education, healthcare, e-governance services and rural entrepreneurship across the state.
The implementation plan envisages each block functioning as a Block Optical Fiber Connectivity Centre, with connectivity extending to Panchayat Optical Fiber Connectivity Centres and eventually to individual households. Every block and gram panchayat will also serve as a data exchange centre to improve network reliability and service delivery.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Mukesh Mahaling described the project as a major milestone in Odisha’s digital transformation and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for facilitating the initiative. He said the expanded broadband network would significantly improve digital access in rural areas.
To strengthen the state’s digital ecosystem, the government also signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). A tripartite agreement was signed between the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Odisha Electronics and IT Department, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and BSNL for implementing the revised BharatNet programme in Odisha.
Another MoU was signed between the Electronics and IT Department and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to promote collaboration in research, digital governance and emerging technologies.
Officials said the partnership with C-DAC would facilitate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity solutions, enabling faster, more secure and transparent delivery of government services.
The state government said the BharatNet expansion, coupled with the new technology partnerships, would accelerate Odisha’s digital transformation and help build a more connected, technology-driven and digitally inclusive state.
