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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3196
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11TH MARCH, 2026
EXPANSION OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
†3196. SHRI LALJI VERMA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the amount of funds allocated and spent for the expansion of telecommunications
infrastructure (mobile towers, 4G/5G networks) in the country during the years 2023-24, 2024-25
and 2025-26;
(b) the number of areas that still lack network connectivity or suffer from weak signals
particularly in rural and remote regions;
(c) the specific steps taken by the Government to enhance connectivity in the said areas; and
(d) the specific steps being taken by the Government to enhance connectivity in the rural areas
of Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Rs. 39,050 crore have been allocated and Rs. 24188.49 crore have been disbursed during
financial years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 till 28.02.2026, for expansion of telecom services in
rural and remote areas of country under various Digital Bharat Nidhi Schemes.
(b) to (d) 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)]. Details of the major projects are as follows:
i. BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages in the country. As of Feb-
2026, 2,17,805 GPs, including 809 GPs of Ambedkar Nagar District have been made
service ready under BharatNet project in the country. Further, Amended BharatNet
Program (ABP), approved by the Government is under implementation for up-gradation
of existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creation of network in balance GPs
and connectivity to remaining non-GP villages on demand basis from their respective GPs.
ii. Under Government funded 4G Saturation Project and other Mobile projects till Feb-
2026, 24,263 mobile towers have been commissioned in the country.
iii. Commissioning of Submarine optical fibre cable between Chennai and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands (2312 Km) and between Mainland (Kochi) and Lakshadweep Islands (1869
km). 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.
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