**Executive Summary:**
The Ministry of Communications addresses Lok Sabha question 4421 regarding the National Broadband Mission (NBM) implementation in Tamil Nadu, including Dharmapuri district. The government aims to expand high-speed internet and digital infrastructure, bridge the digital divide, and improve connectivity in rural and remote areas. Key initiatives include streamlining Right of Way (RoW) permissions, deploying optical fiber cables, and providing mobile services in underserved regions.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Right of Way (RoW) Streamlining:**
* Centralized RoW Portal launched on May 14, 2022, to facilitate telecom infrastructure deployment.
* Telecommunications Right of Way Rules 2024, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, effective from January 1, 2025, further standardize and expedite RoW permissions and charges.
* **Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) Initiatives:**
* The BharatNet project aims to provide broadband to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand.
* Submarine optical fiber cables laid between Chennai-Andaman & Nicobar (2312 km) and Kochi-Lakshadweep (1869 km) to enhance internet connectivity.
* Schemes for high-speed internet and 4G mobile services in remote areas, including the NorthEast, Islands, LWE-affected regions, Aspirational Districts, and border villages.
* **Progress in Tamil Nadu (as of August 11, 2025):**
* 11,758 out of 12,525 GPs are service-ready under the BharatNet project.
* Approximately 57,000 route km of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) laid.
* In Dharmapuri constituency, 240 out of 251 GPs are service-ready.
* **Mobile Network Coverage in Tamil Nadu (as of July 31, 2025):**
* 16,483 out of 16,488 villages have mobile network coverage.
* In Dharmapuri constituency, 479 out of 487 villages have 3G/4G/5G coverage.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Telecom Infrastructure Providers:**
* *Impact:* Benefit from streamlined RoW permissions, reduced charges, and faster deployment processes.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the Centralized RoW Portal and adhere to the Telecommunications Right of Way Rules 2024 for infrastructure deployment.
* **Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Villages:**
* *Impact:* Improved broadband connectivity through the BharatNet project and enhanced access to digital services.
* *Action Required:* Prepare for broadband infrastructure deployment and facilitate access to premises for OFC laying.
* **Residents of Rural and Remote Areas (including Dharmapuri):**
* *Impact:* Increased access to high-speed internet and mobile services, bridging the digital divide and enabling digital inclusion.
* *Action Required:* Utilize available digital infrastructure and services to enhance education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Key Entities Referenced
National Broadband Mission: A Government of India initiative (NBM) aimed at expanding high-speed internet and digital infrastructure across the country.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India where the National Broadband Mission is being implemented, with specific focus on rural and remote areas including Dharmapuri district.
Dharmapuri: A district in Tamil Nadu and a Lok Sabha Constituency, specifically targeted for broadband coverage under the National Broadband Mission.
Telecommunications Act, 2023: A law under which the Telecommunications Right of Way Rules 2024 were created to standardize processes for obtaining RoW permissions.
Telecommunications Right of Way Rules 2024: Rules designed to streamline and expedite telecom infrastructure deployment in the country.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A fund (DBN) used by the Department of Telecommunications to ensure stable internet connectivity and bridge the digital divide.
BharatNet Project: An initiative providing broadband to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand.
Gram Panchayats: Local administrative units at the village level, targeted for broadband connectivity under the BharatNet project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4421
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
NATIONAL BROADBAND MISSION IN RURAL AREAS IN TAMIL NADU
4421. SHRI MANI A:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is implementing the National Broadband Mission (NBM) with the
objective of expanding high-speed internet and digital infrastructure across the country particularly
in rural and remote areas of Tamil Nadu including Dharmapuri district;
(b) if so, the details of the progress made under the NBM in Tamil Nadu especially in
Dharmapuri Lok Sabha Constituency;
(c) whether any timelines have been set for universal broadband coverage in all villages and
hamlets of Dharmapuri under the NBM and if so, the expected date of completion; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to bridge the digital divide in backward and tribal blocks
of Dharmapuri including the provision of affordable internet, digital devices and localised digital
content?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (d) The Government has taken the following key actions to improve internet connectivity in
rural & remote areas (Including backward and tribal blocks) and bridge the digital divide by
implementing the National Broadband Mission (NBM) in the country, including the state of Tamil
Nadu:
i. Launched the Centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal on May 14, 2022, thus facilitating
the streamlining of the RoW permissions for the deployment of telecom infrastructure
viz. Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) laying and telecom tower installation.
ii. Processes to obtain RoW permissions and applicable charges were further made uniform
through Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules 2024 under ‘The
Telecommunications Act, 2023’. The rules are effective from January 01, 2025. The rules
are further streamlining and expediting the telecom infrastructure deployment in the
country.
Further, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is ensuring stable internet
connectivity and bridging the digital divide through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Key initiatives
include:
i. The BharatNet project providing broadband to Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages (on
demand).
1ii. Submarine optical fiber cables were laid between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar
(2312 km) and Kochi and Lakshadweep (1869 km), enabling faster internet connectivity.
iii. Various schemes for high-speed internet and mobile services (including 4G) in remote
areas, such as the North-East, Islands, LWE (Left-Wing Extremism)-affected regions,
Aspirational Districts, and border villages
Under the state-led model in Tamil Nadu, as on 11th August 2025, a total of 11,758 Gram
Panchayats (GPs) out of 12,525 have been made service-ready and around 57,000 route KM of
Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) laid under the BharatNet Project in Tamil Nadu. In Dharmapuri
constituency, 240 GPs out of total 251 have been made service-ready.
As on 31st July 2025, out of 16,488 villages, 16,483 have mobile network coverage in Tamil
Nadu and 479 villages out of 487 villages of Dharmapuri constituency are having 3G/4G/5G
Coverage.
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