Question : Broadband Connectivity in Gram Panchayats

(a) whether it is true that Bharat Net Project to extend High Speed Broadband connectivity infrastructure to remaining 1.25 lakh panchayats out of total 2.5 lakh gram panchayats would be completed on time and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the action taken by the Government in this regard along with the villages where broadband facilities are likely to be provided in the year 2017-18;

(c) whether it is also true that the broadband connectivity would offer e-health and e-governance services to the rural people;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the Government is working on the scheme called Wireless Broadband connectivity in rural and remote areas in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the number of villages included under the scheme along with the time by which remaining villages are likely to be included, State-wise including Uttar Pradesh ?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS &
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a) to (d) BharatNet is being implemented in a phased manner to provide high speed broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country. BharatNet Phase I to connect 1,00,000 Gram Panchayats (GPs) has been completed in December 2017.

For expediting the implementation of BharatNet project, on 19.07.2017, the Union Cabinet approved a modified strategy for implementing BharatNet under which, connectivity to the remaining 1,50,000 (approx.) Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country is to be provided through an optimal mix of media (i.e. OFC, radio and satellite), by the three models of implementation; i.e. State-led model, Private Sector, CPSU model.
As on 09.12.2018, OFC laying & equipment installation has been completed at 1,16,492 GPs, which are Service Ready, and the remaining GPs are under implementation. As per the above Cabinet approval, BharatNet project is targeted to be completed by March 2019.

Under the project model, the service delivery is proposed through Service Providers. The broadband connectivity can be used to offer e-services such as e-health, e-governance services.

(e) & (f) As part of the BharatNet project, the Last mile connectivity through Wi-Fi or any other suitable broadband technology, is being provided at all the GPs (approx. 2.5 lakh) in the country, including Uttar Pradesh. Every GP is to be provided with, on an average, 5 Access Points (APs), i.e. 3 APs in Government Institutions, such as schools, police stations, health institutions, etc. and 2 APs at public places. The project is targeted to be completed by March 2019.