Parliament Question: Revival of BSNL in Amritsar and Punjab’s Border Belt

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2938 ANSWERED ON 05TH AUGUST, 2026 REVIVAL OF BSNL IN AMRITSAR AND PUNJAB’S BORDER BELT 2938. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware that Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), once the backbone of telecommunications in Punjab especially in border districts like Amritsar is rapidly declining due to poor infrastructure, weak maintenance, staff shortages and lack of fiber and dish connectivity, 5G is in demand and its lacking; (b) if so, whether the Government proposes to formulate any comprehensive revival plan for BSNL in Punjab including upgrading tower infrastructure, improving 5G fiber connectivity, enhancing local employment and ensuring reliable services in border villages where national security and connectivity are both crucial and if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether the Government to consider a special package for BSNL revival in border areas and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) to (c) In line with Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, BSNL has installed 98,550 indigenous 4G sites on pan India basis out of one lakh sites as on 25.07.2026, of which 97,174 4G sites are ON-Air. The equipment is 5G upgradable from technology perspective. In Punjab, BSNL has installed total 4,094 4G sites including 944 4G sites in border Districts like Amritsar. Under Bharat Net Project, as on 30.06.2026, 10,189 Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Punjab are operational. Further, Amended Bharatnet Program has been approved by the Government on 04.08.2023 with an outlay of Rs. 1.39 Lakh Crore for high speed fiber connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand basis, including provisions for 1.5 Crore high speed broadband connections in rural areas. BSNL is the Project Management Agency for this Program. To further expand the network coverage in Border and remote areas, the Government has approved various schemes such as 4G Saturation Scheme, Border Out Post (BOP)/Border Intelligence Post (BIP) etc. ***** 1