**Subject: BharatNet Project Status in Karnataka as of July 2025**
This document summarizes the progress of the BharatNet project in Karnataka, as of July 23, 2025, based on information provided to the Lok Sabha. The BharatNet project aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India.
**Phase I & II Progress:**
* 6,084 GPs in Karnataka are service-ready under Phase I, including 393 GPs in Dakshina Kannada.
**Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) - Phase III:**
* The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) is underway to connect remaining GPs and strengthen the existing network. ABP also includes connecting all non-GP villages on demand.
* The construction phase of ABP is projected to be completed within three years from the date of agreement signing. (Date of agreement signing not specified in provided document).
**Infrastructure Deployment:**
* A total of 14,221 km of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) has been laid in Karnataka, including 629 km in Dakshina Kannada (as of June 2025).
* 55,978 Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections have been provided, with 1,618 in Dakshina Kannada (as of June 2025).
* 3,213 WiFi hotspots have been established in GPs across Karnataka.
**Financial Information:**
* A total of INR 1,963 Crore has been allocated and utilized under the BharatNet Project and ABP in Karnataka (as of June 30, 2025).
* Phase-wise allocation and utilization (in INR Crore):
* Phase I: 665
* Phase II: 534
* Amended BharatNet Program: 764
**Implementing Agency:**
* Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India is responsible for implementing this project.
**Contact:**
* Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet Project: A project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country.
Karnataka: A state in India where the BharatNet project is being implemented.
Dakshina Kannada: A district in Karnataka, specifically mentioned in relation to BharatNet implementation.
Amended BharatNet Program ABP: An extension of the BharatNet project, including connectivity to non-GP villages.
Gram Panchayats GPs: Local self-government organizations at the village or small town level, targeted for broadband connectivity.
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for telecommunications.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
Optical Fiber Cable OFC: The physical infrastructure being laid under the BharatNet project for broadband connectivity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 627
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
BHARATNET PROJECTS IN KARNATAKA
627. SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of Gram Panchayats (GPs) covered under Phase I and II of the BharatNet Project
in Karnataka, especially in Dakshina Kannada, along with GPs and non-GP villages proposed to be
connected under Phase III and the Accelerated BharatNet Programme (ABP);
(b) the timeline for completion of remaining coverage under BharatNet and ABP in Karnataka;
(c) the details of total optical fibre laid, number of FTTH connections and public Wi-Fi hotspots
established in Karnataka, district-wise data for Dakshina Kannada;
(d) the extent of utilisation of BharatNet infrastructure in the State including FTTH uptake, dark
fibre leasing and operational Wi-Fi; and
(e) the details of funds allocated and utilised phase-wise and district-wise, including proposals
received for connectivity to non-GP villages?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) & (b) BharatNet is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country, including Karnataka. Under BharatNet
Phase-I, 6,084 GPs in Karnataka have been made service-ready, including 393 GPs in Dakshina
Kannada. Providing connectivity to remaining GPs in the state and further strengthening of the
network is under the scope of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). ABP also includes connectivity
to all non-GP villages on demand basis. ABP is being rolled out and that work in Karnataka has
started. The timeline for completion of the construction phase under the Amended BharatNet
Program is three years from date of signing of agreement.
(c) & (d) As of the end of June 2025, a total of 14,221 km of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) has
been laid under the BharatNet project in Karnataka, including 629 km in Dakshina Kannada. The
total number of FTTH connections provided in the state is 55,978, of which 1,618 are in Dakshina
Kannada. Total Wi-Fi hotspots installed under BharatNet in the state is 3,213 GPs.
(e) In Karnataka, as on 30.06.2025, total amount of Rs. 1,963 Crore has been allocated/ utilized
under BharatNet Project and ABP is being implemented in the state to provide connectivity to all
non-GP villages. The Phase-wise detail is as follows:-
(Rs. in Cr.)
Phase-I Phase-II Amended BharatNet Total
Program
665 534 764 1,963
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