**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Communications addressed a question regarding mobile and internet connectivity in disaster-prone areas. The response details the funds allocated, initiatives undertaken, and consideration of satellite-based connectivity to boost rural connectivity during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25). The answer was given on December 10, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Study/Survey on Disaster-Prone Areas:**
* No separate study has been conducted exclusively for disaster-prone areas.
* Telecom infrastructure and service delivery during disasters are continuously monitored through field units, reports from TSPs, and coordination with State authorities.
* Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place for telecom preparedness and response during disasters.
* **Funds Allocation and Utilisation:**
* Rs. 34,967.14 crore has been allocated, released and utilized for mobile/broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas during 2020-21 to 2024-25 under Digital Bharat Nidhi-DBN schemes.
* State-wise details are provided in Annexure-I.
* **Training Activities:**
* No separate training has been conducted exclusively for disaster-prone rural areas by the Ministry of Communications.
* Preparedness is ensured through SOPs, advisories, review meetings, and disaster-response mechanisms by TSPs.
* **Satellite-Based Connectivity:**
* Under the BharatNet project, 5,034 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready over Satellite media.
* Alternate technologies (radio/satellite), including LEO/MEO satellite communication services, may be considered when matured based on requirement and cost-effectiveness where OFC implementation is not economical/feasible under the Amended BharatNet Program.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact**
* The Ministry monitors telecom infrastructure and service delivery in disaster-prone areas.
**Action Required**
* Ensure telecom preparedness and response by following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
**Impact**
* Receive the benefits of mobile and broadband connectivity.
**Action Required**
* None explicitly mentioned.
**Impact**
* Ensure preparedness through SOPs, advisories, review meetings, and disaster-response mechanisms.
**Action Required**
* Maintain preparedness through Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), advisories, review meetings, and disaster-response mechanisms.
**Impact**
* Experience improved connectivity through the BharatNet project.
**Action Required**
* None explicitly mentioned.
Key Entities Referenced
Digital Bharat Nidhi-DBN schemes: Schemes under which funds were allocated for the establishment of mobile and broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas.
Ministry of Communications: The primary ministry responsible for the subject matter of the parliamentary question.
BharatNet project: Project focused on providing satellite media connectivity to Gram Panchayats.
Starlink: Mentioned as a potential satellite-based connectivity solution to boost rural connectivity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1794
ANSWERED ON 10TH DECEMBER, 2025
MOBILE AND INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN DISASTER PRONE AREAS
1794. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any study/survey regarding disaster-prone areas during the
last five years;
(b) if so, the details regarding the list of schemes, initiatives and workings undertaken for the last five
years;
(c) the details of the total amount of funds allocated, released and utilised for establishment of
mobile/broadband connectivity during the last five years, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government has undertaken any specific training activities in rural areas within disaster
prone zones during the last five years and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has considered using satellite-based connectivity such as Starlink for
boosting rural connectivity and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) & (b) Separate study exclusively for disaster-prone areas has not been conducted by the Ministry
of Communications in the last five years. However, telecom infrastructure and service delivery during disaster
are continuously monitored through field units, reports from TSPs, and coordination with State authorities.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place for telecom preparedness and response during disasters.
(c) An amount of Rs. 34,967.14 crore has been allocated, released and utilised for the establishment of
mobile and broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas of the country during the last five years (2020-
21 to 2024-25) under various Digital Bharat Nidhi-DBN schemes. The State-wise details are given in
Annexure-I.
(d) No separate training exclusively for disaster-prone rural areas has been conducted by Ministry of
Communications. However, preparedness is ensured through SOPs, advisories, review meetings, and disaster-
response mechanisms by TSPs.
(e) Under BharatNet project 5,034 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready over Satellite
media. Further, under the Amended BharatNet Program, alternate technologies (radio/satellite) including Low
Earth Orbit/Medium Earth Orbit (LEO/MEO) satellite communication services, when matured may be
considered for deployment based on the requirement and cost effectiveness in cases where the implementation
of OFC may not be economical/feasible.
1Annexure-I
State-wise details of funds allocated/ released/ utilized under various DBN
Schemes during last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25) for establishment of
Mobile / broadband connectivity
Sl. No. Name of States/UTs Funds disbursed
(Rs. in crores)
1 Andaman & Nicobar 812.54
2 Andhra Pradesh 2,403.98
3 Assam 555.55
4 Bihar 1,007.43
S Chhattisgarh 2,566.36
6 Gujarat (including Dadar & Nagar Haveli and 2,460.36
Daman & Diu)
7 Haryana 275.02
8 Himachal Pradesh 411.79
9 Jammu and Kashmir (including Ladakh) 562.91
10 Jharkhand 1,612.30
11 Karnataka 899.92
12 Kerala 383.63
13 Lakshadweep 932.85
14 Maharashtra (including Goa) 4,867.51
15 Madhya Pradesh 1,886.57
16 NE-I (Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura) 568.56
17 NE-II (Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, 1,202.31
Nagaland)
18 Odisha 2,433.57
19 Puducherry 7.26
20 Punjab (including Chandigarh) 773.59
21 Rajasthan 1,757.82
22 Tamil Nadu 1,128.83
23 Telangana 2,023.88
24 Uttar Pradesh 2,565.79
25 Uttarakhand 395.47
26 West Bengal (including Sikkim) 471.34
27 Total 34,967.14
*****
2