Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Communications addressed Lok Sabha question 615 on July 23, 2025, regarding the BharatNet project. The response details the number of Gram Panchayats (GPs) connected since 2014, assesses internet usage impact, specifies the deployment of WiFi hotspots and Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) services, outlines measures for affordability and last-mile connectivity, and discusses plans for BharatNet Phase-III expansion. As of June 30, 2025, 2,14,325 GPs are service-ready, and 1,04,574 WiFi hotspots have been installed.
Key Points / Main Content:
BharatNet Project Status:
* 2,14,325 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service-ready under the BharatNet project since 2014. State-wise details are in Annexure-I.
Third-Party Evaluation:
* BSNL conducted a third-party audit in March-April 2024, which indicated satisfactory FTTH service coverage through BharatNet.
WiFi Hotspots and FTTH Connections:
* 1,04,574 WiFi hotspots have been installed under the BharatNet Project.
* 13,01,193 FTTH connections have been provided as of June 30, 2025.
Affordability and Last-Mile Connectivity:
* The Amended BharatNet Program provides subsidies to roll out 1.5 crore FTTH connections.
BharatNet Expansion:
* The Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) includes providing connectivity to remaining GPs and further strengthening the network.
* ABP also includes connectivity to non-GP villages, including remote and tribal areas, on demand.
Impact Analysis:
Gram Panchayats:
* Impact: GPs are provided with broadband connectivity through the BharatNet project to enable e-governance, education, and health services.
* Action Required: GPs should utilize the provided infrastructure to improve local services and digital literacy.
Rural Population (including Economically Weaker Sections):
* Impact: Increased access to affordable internet services through WiFi hotspots and FTTH connections, enhancing digital inclusion.
* Action Required: Utilize available internet services for education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
BSNL and BNU Partners:
* Impact: BSNL is responsible for the third-party audit and implementation of FTTH connections. BNU partners are involved in the installation of OLTs.
* Action Required: Continue to deploy and maintain FTTH infrastructure, ensuring satisfactory service coverage.
Government of India (Ministry of Communications):
* Impact: Oversees the implementation of the BharatNet project and monitors its progress through audits and reports.
* Action Required: Continue to support and fund the Amended BharatNet Program to expand connectivity to all GPs and non-GP villages, with a focus on backward districts.
Key Entities Referenced
BharatNet project: A project implemented to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.
Gram Panchayats: Village level local self-government in India, connected under the BharatNet project.
Fiber to the Home (FTTH): Service enabled in rural areas under the BharatNet project to provide internet connectivity.
Ministry of Communications: The government ministry responsible for telecommunications.
BSNL: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, a telecommunications company that conducted a third-party audit for the BharatNet project.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India with 12,955 Gram Panchayats connected under BharatNet.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India with 34,274 (E) + 12,472 (W) Gram Panchayats connected under BharatNet.
Amended BharatNet Program (ABP): The program under which subsidy is provided to roll out FTTH connections and provide connectivity to remaining GPs.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 615
ANSWERED ON 23RD JULY, 2025
WI-FI HOTSPOTS/FTTH SERVICE IN RURAL AREAS
615. DR. BHOLA SINGH:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the details of number of Gram Panchayats connected under the BharatNet project since 2014,
State-wise;
(b) whether the Government has conducted any third-party evaluation to assess internet usage
and impact on rural education, health and e-governance, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of number of rural areas where Wi-Fi hotspots or FTTH (Fiber to the Home)
services have been enabled under the project;
(d) the steps taken/being taken to ensure affordability and last-mile connectivity for
economically weaker sections; and
(e) whether there are any plans to expand BharatNet Phase-III in backward districts with poor
digital penetration and, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband
connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country, so far 2,14,325 GPs have been made
service ready. State-wise details of GPs made service ready in the country is given in Annexure-I
(b) Yes, BSNL conducted a third-party audit during March–April 2024 to assess the
implementation of a pilot project for implementation of 5 lakh FTTH connections in rural areas
through the BharatNet network. The audit findings indicated satisfactory coverage of FTTH services
across various States/UTs through OLT installed by BNU partners.
(c) A total of 1,04,574 Wi-Fi hotspots have been installed under the BharatNet Project, and
13,01,193 Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections have been provided as on 30.06.2025.
(d) Amended BharatNet Program is being implemented under which subsidy is being provided
to roll out 1.5 Cr. FTTH connections to ensure affordability and last mile connectivity.
(e) Providing connectivity to remaining GPs and further strengthening of the network is under
the scope of Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). ABP also includes connectivity to non-GP villages
on demand basis including remote and tribal areas of the state.
1Annexure-I
Annexure referred to Part (a) to (d) (i) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 615 for answer on
23.07.2025
State-wise details of Gram Panchayat made service ready in the Country
Total Service
S.No State
Ready
1 Andaman & Nicobar 72
2 Andhra Pradesh 12,955
3 Arunachal Pradesh 1,124
4 Assam 1,507
5 Bihar 8,340
6 Chandigarh 12
7 Chhattisgarh 9,695
8 Dadra & Nagar Haveli 20
9 Daman & Diu 18
10 Goa -
11 Gujarat 14,320
12 Haryana 6,082
13 Himachal Pradesh 410
14 Jammu & Kashmir 1,101
15 Jharkhand 4,390
16 Karnataka 6,084
17 Kerala 978
18 Ladakh 193
19 Lakshadweep 9
20 Madhya Pradesh 17,850
21 Maharashtra 24,575
22 Manipur 1,475
23 Meghalaya 698
24 Mizoram 540
25 Nagaland 236
26 Odisha 6,785
27 Puducherry 98
28 Punjab 12,668
29 Rajasthan 8,776
30 Sikkim 35
31 Tamil Nadu 10,298
32 Telangana 10,825
33 Tripura 740
34 Uttar Pradesh (E) 34,274
35 Uttar Pradesh (W) 12,472
36 Uttarakhand 1,993
37 West Bengal 2,677
Total 2,14,325
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