BharatNet Project Connects 2.18 Lakh Gram Panchayats for High-Speed Internet: Minister
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Synopsis
As of March 27, 2.18 lakh out of 2.68 lakh gram panchayats are now service-ready for high-speed internet through the BharatNet project, as reported by the Minister of State for Panchayati Raj in Parliament.
Key Takeaways
- 2.18 lakh gram panchayats are ready for high-speed internet.
- BharatNet project aims for nationwide broadband connectivity.
- Implementation varies due to state preparedness.
- Completion of the project is expected by March 2027.
- eGramSwaraj launched to aid panchayat operations.
New Delhi, March 27 (NationPress) A total of 2.18 lakh gram panchayats out of 2.68 lakh across the nation are now ready to offer high-speed internet services through the BharatNet project, as reported in Parliament.
The Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, SP Singh Baghel, shared this information in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha, indicating that the BharatNet project is being rolled out by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in stages to ensure broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats throughout the country.
He further noted that all states are making efforts to execute the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) based on their available resources.
Nevertheless, the implementation progress varies across states due to different levels of preparedness among panchayats nationwide.
According to the DoT, the BharatNet project is expected to be finalized by March 2027.
The minister highlighted that the infrastructure established under the BharatNet project could be leveraged to deliver broadband services such as Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, and backhaul for mobile towers.
He added that the Union Cabinet has sanctioned the Amended BharatNet Program under the design, build, operate, and maintain model to enhance the existing network of BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II, creating a network in around 42,000 gram panchayats that are still not service-ready, along with operations and maintenance for a period of 10 years.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been tasked with providing 1.5 crore FTTH connections to households over the next five years.
Additionally, the minister informed the Upper House that under the Digital India Programme, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is executing the e-Panchayat MMP across all states and Union Territories (UTs) nationwide, aiming to enhance the functionality of panchayats, making them more transparent, accountable, and effective.
As part of this initiative, the Ministry has introduced eGramSwaraj, an online planning and accounting application that simplifies panchayat operations like planning, accounting, and budgeting.
The Ministry has also linked eGramSwaraj with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for gram panchayats to enable real-time payments to vendors and service providers. Panchayats utilize the eGramSwaraj portal to develop and upload their Annual Panchayat Development Plans, he added.
