Digital Empowerment: Over 218,000 Gram Panchayats Connected Under BharatNet Initiative
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Synopsis
The BharatNet initiative has successfully connected over 218,000 Gram Panchayats in India, aiming to provide comprehensive broadband connectivity across rural areas. As of March 19, significant progress has been made in optical fibre installation, FTTH connections, and Wi-Fi hotspots.
Key Takeaways
- Over 218,000 GPs now have broadband connectivity.
- Optical fibre cable length has reached 4.213 million route km.
- Phase 3 of BharatNet aims to integrate 5G technology.
- Digital literacy training has reached over 63.9 million individuals.
- Funding for BharatNet has been substantial, with ₹39,825 crore disbursed.
New Delhi, April 21 (NationPress) In an effort to deliver broadband connectivity to every Gram Panchayat (GP) across the nation, over 218,000 GPs have become service-ready as of March 19 under the BharatNet initiative, according to a government announcement on Monday.
By March 25, the length of optical fibre cable (OFC) has expanded to 4.213 million route kilometers, with 692,676 km of OFC installed as of January 1, 2025.
As reported by the Ministry of Communications, around 1,221,014 fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) connections have been established, and 104,574 Wi-Fi hotspots have been deployed.
The initial goal of the BharatNet project was to connect approximately 250,000 Gram Panchayats throughout the country.
The first phase, which concentrated on laying optical fibre cables to link 100,000 GPs using existing infrastructure, was concluded in December 2017. Phases 2 and 3 are currently underway to extend coverage to an additional 150,000 GPs through the use of optical fibre, radio, and satellite technologies.
Phase 3 aims to future-proof the network by incorporating 5G technologies, enhancing bandwidth capacity, and guaranteeing strong last-mile connectivity.
Approved in August 2023, the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) is a design enhancement targeting Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 264,000 GPs in a ring topology (a network configuration where connected devices create a circular data channel) and offering OF connectivity to other non-GP villages upon request.
This program features an IP-MPLS (Internet Protocol Multi-Protocol Label Switching) network with routers situated at Blocks and GPs, operations and maintenance for a duration of 10 years, power backup solutions, and a Remote Fibre Monitoring System (RFMS). The allocated budget for this initiative is ₹1,39,579 crore.
The ministry reports that to promote digital literacy in rural areas, the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) has successfully trained over 63.9 million individuals by March 31, 2024.
On January 17, 2025, the National Broadband Mission 2.0 was inaugurated, featuring key initiatives such as the centralized Right of Way (RoW) Portal GatiShakti Sanchar.
The BharatNet project is primarily financed through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), a fund replacing the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
The Cabinet has approved a total funding of ₹42,068 crore for BharatNet (Phase-I and Phase-II). As of December 31, 2023, ₹39,825 crore has been disbursed under the BharatNet Project since its inception.
