Question : Bharat Net Project

(a) whether the Government is implementing Bharat Net Project in the country in a phased manner to connect all Gram Panchayats (GPs) by broadband in the country and if so, the details and the present status thereof, State/UT-wise including the details of optical fibre cable laid so far under the said scheme, State/UT-wise;

(b) the target fixed by the Government to link all GPs and rural post offices in the country with optical fibre along with the reasons for delay, if any, in the implementation of the project;

(c) the number of GPs linked with optical fibre network, State/UT-wise and the number of GPs that are yet to be connected with broadband under the said project, State/UT-wise and district-wise;

(d) the funds allocated and the expenditure incurred so far under the said project, State/UT-wise; and

(e) whether the Government has accorded approval to any modified strategy to implement Bharat Net Project to complete the project by March, 2019 and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner for providing broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) (approx. 2,50,000) in the country. As on 8.07.2018, a total of 2,82,898 km Optical Fibre Cable (covering 1,17,935 GPs) has been laid, and 1,12,862 Gram Panchayats have been made Service Ready in the country. The State/Union Territory (UT)-wise details are at Annexure-I.

(b) The target to connect all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) with broadband connectivity through an optimal mix of media (OFC/Radio/Satellite media) is March 2019, and the project is under implementation.

(c) A total of 1,17,935 GPs have been connected on Optical Fibre and the balance GPs are under implementation. The State/UT-wise and District-wise details are at Annexure-I and Annexure-II respectively.

(d) The funds are allocated for the project as a whole and not State/UT-wise. The funds allocated are Rs. 16286 crore up to 2017-18 and Rs. 8175 crore for 2018-19. The expenditure incurred is Rs. 13609.32 crore. The State/UT-wise details are at Annexure-III.

(e) The Cabinet approved a modified strategy for BharatNet on July 19, 2017, to expedite the implementation of the BharatNet Phase-II project as given below:

a) Optimal mix of media (OFC, Radio and satellite) to be used to connect GPs.
b) Implementation of Project by State Model, CPSU Model and Private Sector Model.
c) Laying of fresh fibre from Block to GP (in Phase I incremental fibre from FPOI is being laid)
d) Dark fibre to be available at the GP level for leasing out to Service Providers.
e) Operation and maintenance of the network for the lifetime of the project.

The total cost of BharatNet, approved by the cabinet, is Rs 42,068 crore (exclusive of GST, octroi and local taxes).