Parliament Question: Integration of BharatNet Project with National Optical Fibre Network

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH MARCH, 2026 INTEGRATION OF BHARATNET PROJECT WITH NATIONAL OPTICAL FIBRE NETWORK 5366. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) the present status of implementation of the BharatNet project aimed at providing high-speed broadband connectivity across the country and the extent to which urban and peri-urban areas have been integrated with the national optical fibre network; (b) whether the Government has undertaken any specific initiatives to extend the benefits of the scheme to densely populated urban constituencies such as the North Chennai Lok Sabha Constituency where affordable and reliable internet connectivity is critical for students, small businesses, fishermen communities and informal sector workers; (c) if so, the details of optical fibre infrastructure, public Wi-Fi hotspots and last-mile connectivity created in Chennai district during the last three years along with the funds allocated and utilised; and (d) the steps proposed to strengthen digital inclusion, improve network reliability and ensure affordable broadband access in underserved urban pockets under the scheme? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) Total number of Gram Panchayats (GPs) made service-ready under BharatNet Project in Phase-I and Phase-II across the country till 28.02.2026 is 2,14,921, which includes 10,886 GPs of Tamil Nadu.. (b) to (d) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats (GPs)/ Villages in the country. Amended BharatNet program (ABP) is being implemented in the country to provide connectivity to all inhabited GPs and to non-GP villages on a demand basis. The infrastructure created under the project is a national asset, accessible on a non-discriminatory basis to the Service Providers, and the same can be utilized to provide broadband services, such as Fiber to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fiber, backhaul to mobile towers, etc. in the rural areas. ***** 1