**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 149, answered on December 10, 2025, concerning broadband connectivity in Gram Panchayats via the BharatNet project. The document provides the current status of the project's implementation, the number of villages with internet access in specified districts, and the steps taken to ensure timely completion of Phase-II and infrastructure maintenance. The response is a statement laid on the Table of the House by the Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BharatNet Implementation Status:**
* The BharatNet project aims to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in a phased manner.
* A total of 2,22,341 GPs have been undertaken under BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, with 2,14,904 GPs being service-ready.
* The Amended BharatNet Program, approved on August 4, 2023, plans to provide optical fiber connectivity to approximately 2.64 lakh GPs and 3.8 lakh non-GP villages based on demand.
* **Villages with Internet Access:**
* The document lists the number of villages with internet access under BharatNet in several districts:
* Bihar (Siwan, Gopalganj, Chhapra, Maharajganj): 164, 208, 251, and 33 villages respectively.
* Uttar Pradesh (Deoria): 219 villages.
* Chhattisgarh (Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Baloda Bazar, Sarangarh-Bilaigarh): 317, 310, 484, and 303 villages respectively.
* **BharatNet Phase-II Completion and Infrastructure Maintenance:**
* The total number of GPs undertaken under BharatNet Phase-II is 1,02,133, with 94,725 GPs being service-ready.
* The implementation strategy of BharatNet has been revised and following points have been included in Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) to strengthen the maintenance of infrastructure:
* Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture.
* Operations & Maintenance of the entire network based on Service Level Agreement (SLA).
* Single Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for construction and O&M of the network in a Package.
* Dedicated Network Operation Centre.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Gram Panchayats (GPs)**
* **Impact:** Increased access to broadband connectivity, enabling digital services and improved communication.
* **Action Required:** To take advantage of the broadband infrastructure for local development and citizen services.
**Stakeholder: Citizens in Rural Areas**
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to information, education, healthcare, and other online services, improving their quality of life.
* **Action Required:** To utilize the available internet access for personal and community development.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications)**
* **Impact:** Fulfillment of commitment to provide broadband connectivity in rural areas, contributing to digital inclusion and economic growth.
* **Action Required:** Continued monitoring and evaluation of the BharatNet project's progress and effectiveness.
**Stakeholder: Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs)**
* **Impact:** Play a key role in the success of BharatNet by implementing the project.
* **Action Required:** Responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the network in their respective packages.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet: A project to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country.
Gram Panchayats: Villages that are the targeted beneficiaries of the Broadband Connectivity initiative.
Ministry of Communications: The ministry responsible for the Broadband Connectivity initiative.
Amended BharatNet Program (ABP): The revised implementation strategy of the BharatNet project, which has been revised to strengthen the maintenance of infrastructure
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 149
ANSWERED ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2025
BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN GRAM PANCHAYATS
†*149. SMT. VIJAYLAKSHMI DEVI:
SMT. KAMLESH JANGDE:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of implementation of BharatNet to provide broadband connectivity to
Gram Panchayats across the country;
(b) the number of villages in Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj, Chhapra districts of Bihar, Deoria
district of Uttar Pradesh and Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Balodabazar and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh districts
of Chhattisgarh that have been provided internet access till date under the said project; and
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure timely completion of Phase-II and to
strengthen the maintenance of infrastructure in far flung areas and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN
REGION
(SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA)
(a) to (c) A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
1STATEMENT TO BE LAID ON THE TABLE OF LOK SABHA IN RESPECT OF PARTS
(a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.149 FOR 10TH DECEMBER,
2025 REGARDING “BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY IN GRAM PANCHAYATS.”
(a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs). The total number of GPs undertaken under BharatNet
Phase-I and Phase-II are 2,22,341 GPs, out of which 2,14,904 are Service Ready. Further,
Government has approved the Amended BharatNet Program on 04.08.2023 through which Optical
Fiber Connectivity is to be provided to ~2.64 lakh GPs and ~3.8 lakh non-GP villages on demand
basis.
(b) The number of villages in Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj, Chhapra districts of Bihar, Deoria
district of Uttar Pradesh and Janjgir-Champa, Sakti, Balodabazar and Sarangarh-Bilaigarh districts
of Chhattisgarh that have been provided internet access till date under BharatNet are as follows.
State District Villages with internet access
Siwan 164
Gopalganj 208
Bihar
Chhapra (Saran District) 251
Maharajganj Block, Siwan District 33
UP Deoria 219
Janjgir-Champa 317
Sakti 310
Chhattisgarh
Baloda Bazar 484
Sarangarh-Bilaigarh 303
(c) The total number of GPs undertaken under BharatNet Phase-II are 1,02,133, out of which
94,725 GPs are Service Ready. The implementation strategy of BharatNet has been revised in
Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) and following have been included to strengthen the
maintenance of infrastructure:
(i) Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture
(ii) Operations & Maintenance of the entire network based on Service Level Agreement
(SLA)
(iii) Single Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for construction and O&M of the
network in a Package
(iv) Dedicated Network Operation Centre
*****
2