**Summary:**
As of June 30, 2025, the BharatNet project, aimed at providing broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India, has reached a service-ready status in 214,325 GPs, including 6,320 GPs in the North Eastern Region. Specifically, 94,146 GPs have been made service-ready under BharatNet Phase II. The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) is currently being implemented across the country to provide connectivity to villages based on demand, with 12 packages initiated covering 15 states and 3 Union territories. The construction phase under ABP is projected to take three years from the agreement signing date. In the Bodoland territorial region, 3,059 out of 3,064 villages have 4G coverage, with the remaining 5 villages planned for coverage under the 4G saturation scheme. The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, provided this information in response to questions regarding the progress, challenges, and regional connectivity concerns related to the BharatNet project.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet: A project to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India.
North Eastern States: A region of India consisting of multiple states, including those bordering international boundaries.
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government in India.
Bodoland: A region in India, specifically mentioned as an International Border area where mobile and internet connectivity is a concern. It is a territorial region.
Amended BharatNet Program: A modified version of the BharatNet program (ABP) being implemented to provide connectivity to villages on demand basis.
Ministry of Communications: A government ministry responsible for communication infrastructure and services.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications, responsible for telecommunications policy and regulation.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development answering the question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2856
ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
BHARATNET PHASE-II AND PHASE-III PROJECTS
2856. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:
SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT:
SHRI BENNY BEHANAN:
SHRI JOYANTA BASUMATARY:
DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:
SHRI ARUN BHARTI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of BharatNet Phase-II and Phase-III projects across the Country including
the North Eastern States as of June, 2025;
(b) the details of the number of Gram Panchayats where optical fibre connectivity is operational
and functional, and their targets thereof;
(c) the reasons for delays or cost overruns if any, including the performance of State-level
implementing agencies;
(d) whether it is fact that mobile and internet connectivity still is a big concern in the North
Eastern Region particularly in International Border areas like Bodoland, if so, action taken by the
Government;
(e) the number of Gram Panchayats where optical fiber connectivity is live and functional and
targets; and
(f) the reasons for delays or cost overruns, if so, the performance of State-level implementing
agencies?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c), (e) &(f) BharatNet is being implemented in phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. As on 30.06.2025, a total of 2,14,325 GPs,
including 6,320 GPs in the North-Eastern Region, have been made service-ready under the
BharatNet. Of these, 94,146 GPs have been made service-ready under BharatNet Phase-II. Amended
BharatNet program (ABP) is being implemented across the country to provide connectivity to
villages on the demand basis under which 12 packages have been started covering 15 states and 3
Union territories. The timeline for completion of the construction phase under the ABP is three years
from the date of sign of agreement.
(d) In Bodoland territorial reason out of total 3,064 villages, 3059 villages have 4G coverage and
remaining 5 villages are planned under 4G saturation scheme.
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