Question : Linking of Gram Panchayats with Internet

(a) whether any survey has been conducted/ proposed to be conducted by the Government across the country for linking the Gram Panchayats with broadband/internet facility;

(b) if so, the details and the outcomes thereof;

(c) the number of such Gram Panchayats which are likely to be linked with this facility and the action taken by the Government in this regard, so far, State-wise, including Maharashtra; and

(d) the time by which the linking of Gram Panchayats with broadband/internet facility is likely to be completed?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS,
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) & (b) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner for providing broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2,50,000) in the country. As part of project execution, the survey is conducted by the Implementing Agencies for connecting the Gram Panchayats.
As on 28.02.2020, by laying 4,24,299 km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), a total of 1,50,029 GPs (including BHQs) have been connected, out of which 1,34,906 GPs (including BHQs) have been made Service Ready. In addition, 1787 GPs have been provided connectivity through satellite media. In total, 1,36,693 GPs (including BHQs) have been made Service Ready.
(c) All the 2.5 lakh (approx.) Gram Panchayats in the country, including Maharashtra, are being provided broadband connectivity under BharatNet project. BharatNet Phase-I (revised workfront) to connect 1.23 lakh GPs is almost complete. The BharatNet Phase-II to connect the remaining GPs is under implementation through State-led Model, Private Sector Model, Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) Model and Public Private Partnership (PPP) model by using an optimal mix of media (namely OFC, Radio and satellite) to connect GPs. The State/Union Territory-wise status of BharatNet is at Annexure-I.
In Maharashtra, the Phase-I is being implemented through Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and as on 28.02.2020, by laying 33,828 km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), a total of 15,282 Gram Panchayats (including BHQs) have been connected, out of which 15,219 GPs (including BHQs) have been made Service Ready. BharatNet Phase-II is being implemented through State Government in Maharashtra and as on 28.02.2020, by laying 23,932 km Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), a total of 4,324 GPs have been connected, out of which 451 Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made Service Ready.
(d) The broadband connectivity to all the 2.5 lakh (approx.) Gram Panchayats in the country is targeted to be provided by August 2021.