**Policy Summary: Optical Fiber Network Connectivity in Gram Panchayats**
This document summarizes the Indian government's policy and progress regarding optical fiber network connectivity in Gram Panchayats (GPs) as of August 20, 2025, as addressed in Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4460.
The government is implementing the BharatNet project in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all GPs nationwide. District-wise details of GPs to be connected via optical fiber are available on the Digital Bharat Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/parliamentquestions).
Over the past five fiscal years (FY 2020-21 to 2024-25), a total of Rs. 986.04 Crore was allocated to Rajasthan, including the Jaipur Lok Sabha Constituency, under the BharatNet Project. For the current fiscal year (FY 2025-26), Rs. 22,000 Crores has been sanctioned for the BharatNet Project nationwide.
Regarding mobile connectivity in the Robertsganj Sonbhadra Lok Sabha Constituency, 132 towers for 4G mobile services covering 170 villages are proposed in Robertsganj and Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh. As of July 31, 2025, 60 towers covering 73 villages have been installed.
The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, provided this information.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Communications: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for telecommunications and postal services.
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications, responsible for telecom policy, licensing, and regulation in India.
BharatNet Project: A project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in India.
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government institutions in India.
Jaipur Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Rajasthan, India.
Rajasthan: A state in India where Jaipur Lok Sabha Constituency is located, receiving funding for the BharatNet Project.
Robertsganj Sonbhadra Lok Sabha Constituency: A parliamentary constituency in Uttar Pradesh, India.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where Robertsganj Sonbhadra Lok Sabha Constituency is located.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4460
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
OPTICAL FIBER NETWORK CONNECTIVITY
†4460. SMT. MANJU SHARMA:
SHRI CHHOTELAL:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of Gram Panchayats connected through BSNL optical fiber network in the
country particularly in Jaipur Lok Sabha Constituency district/tehsil-wise;
(b) the number of gram panchayats that are still deprived of this service and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to provide optical fiber network connectivity to all the
gram panchayats and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the funds allocated by the Government for laying fiber network in the Jaipur Lok Sabha
Constituency during the last five years;
(e) whether the Government has made any provision to provide optical fiber network
connectivity to the remaining Gram Panchayats and if so, the details thereof including the funds
sanctioned during the current year;
(f) whether dozens of gram panchayats in Robertsganj Sonbhadra Lok Sabha Constituency lack
mobile towers facility; and
(g) the time by which full-fledged communication services are likely to be started in the said
Lok Sabha Constituency?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (e) BharatNet Project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country. The details of District-wise Gram
Panchayats (GPs) to be connected through optical fiber on BharatNet is available on Digital Bharat
Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/parliament-questions).
The Government has allocated total fund of Rs. 986.04 Crore to Rajasthan including Jaipur
Lok Sabha Constituency under BharatNet Project during the last five years (FY 2020-21 to 2024-
25).
The Government has sanctioned Rs. 22,000 Crores for BharatNet Project in the current FY
2025-26.
(f) & (g) In Robertsganj and Chandauli District of Uttar Pradesh, total 132 towers for 4G
mobile services covering 170 villages are proposed, out of which 60 towers covering 73 villages
have been installed as on 31.07.2025.
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