Govt Expands Digital Connectivity in Rural India; BharatNet Covers Over 2.14 Lakh Panchayats

New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday said it has significantly scaled up digital infrastructure in rural India, with over 2.14 lakh gram panchayats made service-ready under the ambitious BharatNet project. The initiative, aimed at providing high-speed broadband to villages, is being positioned as a backbone for digital inclusion across the country.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan informed that 21,748 mobile towers have been commissioned till June under various government-funded telecom projects. He also said a ₹26,316 crore project for saturation of 4G mobile services is underway to provide connectivity in remote and uncovered villages.

To strengthen internet and mobile coverage in far-flung regions, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has undertaken multiple large-scale projects. These include commissioning a 2,312 km submarine optical fibre cable (OFC) between Chennai and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, a 1,869 km submarine OFC link between Kochi and Lakshadweep, and creating a 225 km OFC network within Lakshadweep. These initiatives have boosted the rollout of fixed broadband, 4G/5G mobile networks, and high-speed data services in the islands.

“The infrastructure created under the BharatNet project is a national asset and can be accessed by service providers on a non-discriminatory basis to deliver broadband through fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), leased lines, dark fibre, and backhaul for mobile towers,” the minister said.

The government has also rolled out targeted schemes to extend mobile and internet services in challenging geographies. These include the Comprehensive Telecom Development Plans (CTDP) for the North East and islands, schemes to enhance connectivity in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, Aspirational Districts, and border villages, along with the 4G saturation scheme to ensure coverage in all uncovered villages.

Officials said these efforts are part of the broader mission to bridge the digital divide and ensure that rural and remote regions have equal access to internet-driven opportunities in education, healthcare, and commerce.