**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2531, answered on 16/12/2025, regarding the Digital Village Project in Tamil Nadu. The questions concerned the progress and measures taken to ensure digital inclusion in villages, especially for marginalized groups. The answer outlines the projects underway to provide broadband connectivity and digital services.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **BharatNet Project:**
* Implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.
* As of October 2025, 2,14,843 GPs are service-ready under the BharatNet project, including 10,808 GPs in Tamil Nadu.
* Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), approved on 04.08.2023, is under implementation for upgrading the existing network.
* **Connectivity Expansion:**
* Aims to create network connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand.
* 22,987 mobile towers have been commissioned in uncovered remote & rural areas under the 4G Saturation Project as of Oct-2025.
* **Island Connectivity:**
* Submarine optical fibre cable commissioned between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 10.08.2020 (2312 km).
* Submarine OFC connectivity commissioned between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands on 03.01.2024 (1869 km).
* 225Km OFC network created in Lakshadweep Islands for FTTH & other services.
* **Digital Governance Solutions:**
* Digital governance solutions are developed at Gram Panchayat level with offline capabilities, divyang friendly platforms and simple user interfaces with multi-lingual facilities.
* The Department of Rural Development with support from the National Informatics Centre, Centre for Development of Advance Computing and Digital India Corporation designed, developed and implemented various IT driven solutions for the schemes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Gram Panchayats (GPs)**
* **Impact:** GPs will benefit from increased broadband connectivity, enabling better access to digital services.
* **Action Required:** Prepare for the integration and utilization of new digital infrastructure.
**Residents of Remote & Rural Villages and Islands**
* **Impact:** Residents will have improved access to high-speed internet/data, mobile services, and digital services.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available digital resources and participate in digital literacy initiatives.
**Women, Students, and Marginalized Groups**
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to digital services through initiatives designed for equitable access.
* **Action Required:** Engage with available digital resources and provide feedback on their accessibility.
**Government (Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for implementing and managing the Digital Village Project and related infrastructure projects.
* **Action Required:** Continue to oversee the implementation of BharatNet and related projects, and ensure continued support and funding.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet: Project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): Department involved in providing high bandwidth internet/broadband connectivity and mobile services to remote & rural villages.
Ministry of Rural Development: Ministry responsible for the Digital Village Project and answering questions regarding its implementation.
Digital Village Project: A project to make villages fully operational with all planned digital facilities.
Tamil Nadu: Location where the Digital Village Project is being implemented.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2531
ANSWERED ON 16/12/2025
DIGITAL VILLAGE PROJECT IN TAMIL NADU
2531. Shri Malaiyarasan D:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the details and number of villages in Tamil Nadu and in the
country where the Digital Village Project is fully operational with
all planned digital facilities;
(b) the measures taken by the Government to ensure adequate
internet bandwidth, electricity, and access to digital devices for
all residents;
(c) whether special initiatives have been taken for women,
students, and marginalized groups to ensure equitable access
to digital services; and
(d) the steps proposed to address digital divide and infrastructure
gaps in villages facing connectivity or resource constraints?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN)
(a) to (d): As informed by the Department of Telecommunications,
Ministry of Communications, for providing high bandwidth capacity
internet/broadband connectivity and mobile services to remote &
rural villages and islands in the country that currently lack coverage,
a number of steps & projects have been taken up with funding from
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) [erstwhile Universal Service Obligation
Fund (USOF)], Department of Telecommunications (DoT). BharatNet
project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide
broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the
country. As of Oct-2025; 2,14,843 GPs have been made service ready
under BharatNet project in the country including 10,808 GPs in Tamil
Nadu. Further, Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), approved by the
Government on 04.08.2023, is under implementation for up-gradation
Page 1 of 2of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of
network in balance GPs (around 42,673 GPs), connectivity to
remaining non-GP villages on demand basis from their respective
GPs.
Under 4G Saturation Project and other mobile projects, as of
Oct-2025, 22,987 mobile towers have been commissioned in
uncovered remote & rural areas of the country under various
Government funded mobile projects. Commissioning of submarine
optical fibre cable on 10.08.2020 between Chennai and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands (2312 Km) for providing high speed internet/data
connectivity to Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Commissioning of
Submarine OFC connectivity between Mainland (Kochi) and
Lakshadweep Islands (1869 km) on 03.01.2024. Creation of 225Km
OFC network in Lakshadweep Islands for provision of FTTH & other
services. These optical fibre cable projects have facilitated faster roll
out of fixed line broadband/internet services, mobile services (4G/5G)
and other high-speed data services in the Islands.
The Department of Rural Development with the support of
the National Informatics Centre, Centre for Development of Advance
Computing and Digital India Corporation has designed, developed and
implemented various IT driven solutions for implementation of its
flagship schemes. In order to mitigate digital divide and to ensure last
mile reach, the digital governance solutions delivering services at
Gram Panchayat level are developed with offline capabilities, divyang
friendly platforms and simple user interface with multi-lingual
facilities. This ensures that access to these solutions are not limited
to internet connected areas but also to remote or non-connected
areas.
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