This document summarizes the Indian government's efforts, as of August 20, 2025, to improve telecom connectivity in tribal areas, specifically focusing on Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. The initiatives are primarily driven by the BharatNet project and funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN).
As of June 30, 2025, 214,325 Gram Panchayats (GPs) across India are service-ready under BharatNet, including 24,575 GPs in Maharashtra, 38 GPs in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and 17,850 GPs in Madhya Pradesh. The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) is proposed to connect remaining GPs and non-GP villages based on demand.
DBN-funded 4G saturation schemes have led to the commissioning of 21,748 mobile towers across India, including 3,804 in Maharashtra, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, and Madhya Pradesh. This includes coverage for 2,574 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) villages.
To enhance digital accessibility, the government is establishing Common Service Centres (CSCs) in rural areas and providing incentives and subsidies for Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections under the BharatNet Udyami Model. A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Government, Prasar Bharati, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to expand affordable and accessible digital services nationwide.
The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development is Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar. This information was provided in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4405.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Telecommunications: A department under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, responsible for telecom policy and regulation.
Bharat Net Project: An initiative by the Government of India to provide broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the country.
Maharashtra: A state in India, mentioned in the context of telecom connectivity in tribal and rural areas.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, mentioned in the context of telecom connectivity in tribal and rural areas.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu: A Union Territory in India, mentioned in the context of telecom connectivity in tribal and rural areas.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: A fund used by the Government of India for expansion of telecom network coverage in uncovered remote and rural areas.
Common Service Centres CSCs: Establishments to deliver e-services to citizens in rural areas.
Open Network for Digital Commerce ONDC: An initiative to proliferate affordable and accessible digital services across the country.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4405
ANSWERED ON 20TH AUGUST, 2025
TELECOM CONNECTIVITY IN TRIBAL AREAS
†4405. DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:
SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:
SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:
SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:
SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the various measures taken by the Government to improve telecom connectivity in the tribal
areas of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman &
Diu under the Bharat Net Project initiative;
(b) whether the Government has initiated any work in the extremely rural areas of Maharashtra,
Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Madhya Pradesh under the said
Project or under any other similar initiative;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the details of the targeted approach for enhancing internet and technological literacy and the
affordability of an individual on personal electronic devices and internet packages along with the
access to internet?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) BharatNet is being implemented in the phased wise manner to provide connectivity to Gram
Panchayats (GPs) across the country. As on 30.06.2025, 2,14,325 GPs have been made service ready
including 24,575 GPs in Maharashtra, 38 GPs in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and
17,850 GPs in Madhya Pradesh. Amended BharatNet program (ABP) is proposed to be implemented
to provide connectivity to remaining GPs and non GP villages on the demand basis.
(b) & (c) Government has taken up ‘BharatNet’ and various mobile projects with funding from
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) for expansion of telecom network coverage in uncovered remote and rural
areas, including tribal areas of the country. Till June 2025, under DBN-funded 4G saturation schemes,
2,574 Particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) villages and a total of 21,748 mobile towers
(including 3,804 in Maharashtra, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, and Madhya Pradesh)
have been commissioned across India.
(d) The Government has undertaken various initiatives to enhance digital accessibility and
inclusion. This includes the establishment of Common Service Centres (CSCs) to deliver e-services
to citizens in rural areas. Furthermore, incentives and subsidies for Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH)
connections are being provided under the BharatNet Udyami Model to ensure last-mile connectivity.
Additionally, a Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the
Government, Prasar Bharati, and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) to proliferate
affordable and accessible digital services across the country.
*****
1