Parliament Question: Implementation of BharatNet Phase-III in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1803 ANSWERED ON 29TH JULY, 2026 IMPLEMENTATION OF BHARATNET PHASE-III IN TAMIL NADU 1803. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) the details of present status of the implementation of BharatNet Phase-III in Tamil Nadu including the number of Gram Panchayats and villages proposed to be connected, district-wise; (b) whether there has been any delay in the implementation of BharatNet Phase-III in Tamil Nadu and, if so, the reasons therefor; (c) the details of funds allocated, released and utilised for BharatNet Phase-III in Tamil Nadu, year-wise; (d) the number of Gram Panchayats and villages in Tamil Nadu where broadband connectivity has been commissioned under BharatNet as against the targets fixed, district-wise; and (e) the steps taken by the Government to expedite the implementation of BharatNet Phase-III, ensure timely completion of pending works and provide reliable high-speed broadband connectivity to rural, remote and tribal areas of Tamil Nadu? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a), (b), (c) & (e) The Government has approved the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) under a design, built, operate and maintain model for upgradation of the existing BharatNet network, creation of network in balance Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Operation & Maintenance of GPs. The Government of India has approved the proposal of Government of Tamil Nadu for Utilization of BharatNet Network under ABP in the State and agreement for the same has already been shared with the State Government for signing. Under ABP, provision has been made for last mile connectivity to 4,767 non-GP villages on demand basis. Government of India has provisioned total Rs.1,632 crore in addition to the subsidy support for rural fiber connections under ABP for the state of Tamil Nadu. (d) District wise details of number of Gram Panchayats connected under the BharatNet is attached as Annexure-I. 1Annexure-I District-wise details of number of Gram Panchayats connected under the BharatNet project in Tamil Nadu (as on 30.06.2026) District No. of GPs planned No. of GPs connected Ariyalur 201 166 CHENGALPATTU 359 297 COIMBATORE 228 220 CUDDALORE 683 571 DHARMAPURI 251 221 DINDIGUL 306 285 ERODE 225 211 KALLAKURICHI 411 383 KANCHIPURAM 274 271 KANNIYAKUMARI 95 76 KARUR 157 157 KRISHNAGIRI 333 325 MADURAI 420 317 NAGAPATTINAM 434 434 NAMAKKAL 322 309 PERAMBALUR 121 118 PUDUKKOTTAI 497 460 RAMANATHAPURAM 429 259 Ranipet 288 288 SALEM 385 297 SIVAGANGA 445 397 TENKASI 221 215 THANJAVUR 589 589 THE NILGIRIS 35 25 THENI 130 108 THIRUVALLUR 526 513 THIRUVARUR 430 430 TIRUCHIRAPPALLI 404 401 TIRUNELVELI 204 154 Tirupathur 200 197 TIRUPPUR 265 225 TIRUVANNAMALAI 860 848 TUTICORIN 403 348 VELLORE 255 231 VILLUPURAM 689 566 VIRUDHUNAGAR 450 206 12,525 11,118 ***** 2