**Policy Summary: BSNL Revival in Punjab's Border Areas**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to concerns regarding the decline of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Punjab, particularly in border districts, and outlines initiatives aimed at its revival. The policy addresses issues of poor infrastructure, weak maintenance, staff shortages, and limited fiber and dish connectivity impacting BSNL's performance, especially in remote and sensitive border areas where private operators have limited reach.
The government is implementing a comprehensive revival plan focused on upgrading infrastructure, enhancing fiber connectivity, and improving service reliability in border villages, crucial for national security and connectivity. Key initiatives include:
* **4G Rollout:** BSNL is deploying one lakh indigenously developed 4G sites across India. As of June 30, 2025, 95,537 sites have been installed, with 90,035 sites active. In Punjab, 3,611 4G BTS have been installed, including 1,185 in border districts and 359 in Amritsar district.
* **BharatNet Project:** As of July 14, 2025, 12,668 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Punjab have been connected with optical fiber connectivity (OFC) under the BharatNet project.
* **Amended BharatNet Program:** Approved on August 4, 2023, with an outlay of Rs. 1.39 Lakh Crores, the program aims to extend fiber connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand. It includes provisions for 1.5 Crores high-speed FTTH broadband connections in rural areas. BSNL serves as the Project Management Agency for this scheme.
* **Network Expansion in Border Areas:** The government is implementing schemes like the 4G Saturation Scheme and initiatives targeting Border Out Posts (BOP) and Border Intelligence Posts (BIP) to expand network coverage in border and remote areas. Details are available at https:usof.gov.in.
The Ministry of Communications, under the leadership of the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, is overseeing these efforts to restore digital inclusion, security communication, and economic activity in Punjab's border regions through the revival of BSNL.
Key Entities Referenced
BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, a state-owned telecommunications company in India.
Punjab: A state in India where BSNL's revival is being discussed, especially in border areas.
Amritsar District: A border district in Punjab where BSNL's infrastructure is being upgraded.
SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA: Member of Parliament who raised the question about the revival of BSNL in Punjab.
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: The Minister who provided the response regarding the BSNL revival plan.
4G Saturation Scheme: A government scheme to expand network coverage in border and remote areas.
Bharat Net Project: A project to connect Gram Panchayats in India with optical fiber connectivity.
Gram Panchayats: Village level councils in India, targeted for connectivity under the Bharat Net Project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1720
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
REVIVAL OF BSNL IN PUNJAB’S BORDER AREAS
1720. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that BSNL, once the backbone of telecommunications in
India & Punjab, especially in border districts like Amritsar, is rapidly declining due to poor
infrastructure, weak maintenance, staff shortage, lack of fiber and dish connectivity, while private
operators are unable to fully penetrate remote and sensitive areas, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to formulate a comprehensive revival plan for BSNL in
Punjab, including upgrading tower infrastructure, improving fiber connectivity, enhancing local
employment, ensuring reliable services in border villages where national security and connectivity
are both crucial, if so, the details thereof; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to consider a special package for BSNL revival in border
areas, given that it is the only operator with historical reach and potential to restore digital inclusion,
security communication, and economic activity in such regions, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) to (c) To improve the telecom services, BSNL is rolling out one lakh indigenously
developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. As on 30.06.2025, 95,537 sites have been installed and
90,035 4G sites are ON-Air. In Punjab, BSNL has installed total 3,611 4G BTS including 1,185 4G
BTS in border Districts and 359 4G BTS in Amritsar District. Under Bharat Net Project as on
14.07.2025, total 12,668 Gram Panchayats (GPs) of Punjab have been connected with Optical Fiber
Connectivity (OFC).
Further, Amended Bharatnet program has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 04.08.2023
with an outlay of Rs. 1.39 Lakh Crores to extend fiber to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand
basis, including provisions for 1.5 Crores high speed FTTH broadband connections in rural areas.
BSNL is the Project Management Agency for this scheme.
To further expand the network coverage in Border and remote areas, the Government is
implementing various schemes such as 4G Saturation Scheme, Border Out Post (BOP)/Border
Intelligence Post (BIP) etc. The details of these schemes are available on https://usof.gov.in.
*****
1