Executive Summary:
This document is the answer to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2988 concerning the BharatNet project, specifically addressing delays, revised timelines, measures to avoid further delays, the project's current status, and the utilization of funds. As of June 30, 2025, 2,14,325 Gram Panchayats are service-ready under BharatNet Phase I and II. The completion timeline for the Amended BharatNet Program's construction phase is three years from the agreement date, followed by seven years of OM (Operation and Maintenance).
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Project Delays and Challenges:**
* BharatNet project implementation faced delays due to Right of Way (RoW) permission delays, COVID-19 restrictions, and damage to Optical Fiber Cable (OFC).
* Difficult terrains, including hilly, rocky, and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, also contributed to delays.
* **Revised Timeline and Measures:**
* The Amended BharatNet Program, approved in August 2023, includes BSNL as the Project Management Agency.
* Central and State Network Operation Centers (NOC) will be set up for monitoring.
* OFC connectivity from block to GP will be in ring topology.
* Alternative technology will be used to ensure smooth implementation.
* The Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024, have streamlined the RoW clearance process.
* The construction phase of the Amended BharatNet Program is three years from the agreement date, followed by seven years of OM.
* **Current Status:**
* 2,14,325 Gram Panchayats (GPs) are service-ready as of June 30, 2025, out of the planned 2,22,343 GPs under BharatNet Phase I and Phase II.
* State/UT-wise list of GPs with broadband connectivity is available on the Digital Bharat Nidhi website.
* **Fund Utilization:**
* No CAG audit report on BharatNet has been received by the Ministry of Communications.
Impact Analysis:
**State Agencies:**
* *Impact:* State agencies, especially those managing forest areas, have a significant impact on the project timeline due to their role in granting Right of Way (RoW) permissions.
* *Action Required:* Streamline and expedite the RoW clearance process for telecommunications infrastructure, adhering to the Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024.
**BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited):**
* *Impact:* BSNL is appointed as the Project Management Agency for the Amended BharatNet Program.
* *Action Required:* Manage and oversee the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards.
**Central and State Network Operation Centers (NOC):**
* *Impact:* These centers are responsible for monitoring the BharatNet network.
* *Action Required:* Establish and operate Central and State NOCs to monitor the BharatNet network effectively.
**Department of Telecommunications:**
* *Impact:* The department oversees the BharatNet project and addresses challenges related to its implementation.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring the project's progress, addressing implementation challenges, and ensuring optimal utilization of existing infrastructure. Address awareness and digital literacy among targeted beneficiaries.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet: A mega project to provide connectivity to Gram Panchayats across India.
Gram Panchayat: Village level local self-government institution in India.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in central India where BharatNet project is being implemented.
Amended BharatNet Program: Revised version of the BharatNet project approved by the Cabinet in August 2023.
BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, appointed as Project Management Agency for Amended BharatNet Program.
Telecommunications Right of Way Rules, 2024: Rules notified by the government to streamline Right of Way (RoW) clearance process for telecommunications infrastructure.
Ministry of Communications: The Indian government ministry responsible for telecommunications.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: Website (https:usof.gov.inenhome) where state-wise list of Gram Panchayats provided with broadband connectivity under BharatNet project is available.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2988
ANSWERED ON 6TH AUGUST, 2025
PROMPT SERVICE AND ACTIVE UTILISATION OF CONNECTIVITY
†2988. SMT. BHARTI PARDHI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the BharatNet project has been frequently delayed and whether the timelines fixed
for the years 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2023 have been lapsed;
(b) if so, the revised timeline fixed to achieve 100% Gram Panchayat connectivity;
(c) the specific measures being taken to avoid further delays especially in the areas facing
challenges;
(d) the current status of 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats targeted under the BharatNet project
particularly with regard to prompt service and active utilisation of connectivity provided by July
2025, State-wise including those in Madhya Pradesh;
(e) whether CAG and other reports have highlighted underutilisation of funds and infrastructure
created under BharatNet; and
(f) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to ensure optimal utilisation of existing
infrastructure and to address lack of awareness and digital literacy among the targeted beneficiaries?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) BharatNet is a mega project, widely dispersed across remotest corners of the country,
covering difficult terrains (Hilly/ Rocky) and also difficult to access Left-wing extremism (LWE)
affected areas. The project implementation of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II faced challenges due
to various reasons like delay in obtaining Right of Way permissions from State agencies especially
in forest areas, movement restrictions due to Covid- pandemic, damage of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC)
due to development works such as water pipe line laying, road widening and other construction
activities. As on 30.06.2025, 2,14,325 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready out of
planned 2,22,343 GPs under BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II.
In the meanwhile Amended BharatNet Program is approved by Cabinet in August’ 2023,
under which appointment of BSNL as Project management agency, setting up of Central and State
Network operation centre (NOC) for monitoring, OFC connectivity from block to GP in ring
topology and use of alternative technology to ensure its smooth implementation. The government
has notified Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 that has streamlined RoW clearance
process. The timeline for completion of the construction phase under the Amended BharatNet
Program is three years from date of signing of agreement and then O&M for seven years will start.
1(d) Total number of Gram Panchayats (GP) made service-ready under BharatNet across the
country including Madhya Pradesh is 2,14,325. State/UT-wise list of Gram Panchayats (GPs)
provided with broadband connectivity under the BharatNet project is available on Digital Bharat
Nidhi website (https://usof.gov.in/en/home).
(e) & (f) No CAG audit report on BharatNet has been received in this Ministry till date.
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