Parliament Question: Support to Economic activities and Digital Inclusion

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5324 TO BE ANSWERED ON 25TH MARCH, 2026 SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AND DIGITAL INCLUSION †5324. MRS RUCHI VIRA: Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the adequacy and reliability of telecommunications and postal service infrastructure for small businesses, traders and service consumers in Muradabad district of Uttar Pradesh; (b) if so, the details of the infrastructure upgradation measures undertaken to identify service gaps, improve coverage and enhance service quality in the district; and (c) the details of the future communication expansion measures proposed by the Government to support economic activities and digital inclusion? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR) (a) & (b) The Government assesses telecom coverage based on inputs from Telecom Service Providers, and uncovered villages are taken up for providing mobile connectivity through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) funded schemes. As of February 2026, all 1,164 villages (as per data of Registrar General of India) in Moradabad district are covered with 4G and 987 villages with 5G mobile connectivity. Further, all 589 Gram Panchayats have been made service-ready under BharatNet. The postal infrastructure in Moradabad Postal Division adequately caters to consumers, including small businesses and traders, through a widespread network of post offices. Parcel operations have been strengthened under the Mail Parcel Optimization Project (MPOP) with facilities like a Level-2 Parcel Hub, Nodal Delivery Centre, and Parcel Packaging Unit to support efficient handling and small businesses. Mail processing has been modernized through infrastructure and IT upgrades under the Mail Network Optimization Project (MNOP). Additionally, a Dak Ghar Niryat Kendra (DNK) has been established to promote exports by local traders. Moradabad Postal Division has also expanded Business Post and Book Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, while enabling widespread digital payments and financial services, thereby enhancing convenience, supporting businesses, and promoting financial inclusion. (c) Government, with funding from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), has approved various schemes for expansion of telecom connectivity through installation of mobile towers in the uncovered rural and remote areas of the country. As on 28.02.2026, 24,198 mobile towers have been commissioned across the country under various DBN funded schemes, providing mobile connectivity to 33,984 villages/locations including 352 villages/locations in Uttar Pradesh. 1BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats (GPs)/ Villages with broadband in the country including Uttar Pradesh. In addition, the Union Cabinet has approved Amended BharatNet Program for provisioning of connectivity to all GPs in the country in ring topology including upgrading existing network and connectivity to about 3.8 Lakh non-GP villages on demand basis. Revised Quality of Service (QoS) benchmarks effective from 01.10.2024 have also been introduced by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for improved Quality of Service and service delivery. In addition, Department of post continues to expand infrastructure, enhance last-mile connectivity through a strengthened parcel and logistics network to support e-commerce, MSMEs and local industries thereby facilitating market access for small businesses; promotion of digital payment systems and mobile based applications and capacity building measures to improve service delivery of postal products. ***** 2