GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3062
TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2026
BHARATNET PROJECT IN TAMIL NADU
3062 SHRI R. DHARMAR:
Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state:
(a) the details of salient features of BharatNet Project;
(b) the details of funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under this...
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3062 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2026 BHARATNET PROJECT IN TAMIL NADU 3062 SHRI R. DHARMAR:
Will the Minister of Communications be pleased to state:
(a) the details of salient features of BharatNet Project;
(b) the details of funds sanctioned, allocated and utilized under this project in Tamil Nadu during the last three years and the current year;
(c) the number of villages connected with broadband facility and those not connected under this project in the State; and
(d) the steps being taken by Government for expeditious coverage of these villages under this scheme? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The infrastructure created under the project is a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized to provide broadband services, such as Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fiber, backhaul to mobile towers, etc. in the rural areas.
(b) Under state-led model of BharatNet project in Tamil Nadu, cost of work awarded is Rs.1544.44 crore (exclusive of taxes) out of which Rs.1,131.93 crore has been allocated/utilized during last three financial years (2022-23 to 2024-25) and current financial year (2025-26 upto
28.02.2026).
(c) & (d) Out of 12525 GPs of Tamil Nadu, 10,886 GPs have been made service ready as on
28.02.2026. Challenges like Right of way issues, involvement of multiple agencies, damage of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) due to development works etc. have been faced in the implementation of BharatNet in Tamil Nadu. All these challenges are being addressed with planning and co-ordination with concerned agencies. Further, timely disbursal of funds upon achievement of project milestones is being ensured to facilitate expeditious coverage of these villages under the scheme.
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