Question : Broadband in Gram Panchayats

(a) whether the Government has proposed to provide high speed broadband to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) of the Country by connecting them through internet via Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the original deadline set by the Government to meet the target of connecting all GPs across the country through internet;

(c) the current status of the said project; and

(d) whether the Government has rescheduled the execution of the project and extended the deadline for the completion of the same and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2,50,000) in the country. In the Phase-I of the project, Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been connected over Optical Fibre Cable (OFC), whereas in the Phase-II of the project, GPs are being connected through an optimal mix of media (OFC/ Radio/ Satellite).
As on 24.01.2020, by laying 4,08,926 km OFC, a total of 1,46,717 GPs have been connected, out of which 1,32,993 GPs have been made Service Ready. In addition, 1255 GPs have been provided connectivity through satellite media.
BharatNet project (earlier known as National Optical Fibre Network) was approved by the Cabinet on 25.10.2011 to provide broadband connectivity to all GPs in two years.
(d) BharatNet is a project of mega nature and the GPs are widely dispersed across the country in rural and remote areas. All out efforts are being made to expeditiously implement the project and a total of 2 lakh GPs are targeted to be completed by March 2020.
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