2.18 lakh gram panchayats now linked to BharatNet

New Delhi

A significant milestone has been achieved in India’s efforts to provide high-speed internet to rural areas, with 2.18 lakh gram panchayats out of 2.68 lakh now service-ready under the BharatNet project. Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, SP Singh Baghel, informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the initiative, implemented by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to connect all gram panchayats across the country with broadband services.

The BharatNet project is being executed in phases, with the goal of offering reliable high-speed internet services in rural regions. Although progress varies by state, all states are working to implement the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) based on available resources, with the overall project set for completion by March 2027.

The infrastructure created under BharatNet is expected to provide a range of broadband services, including Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections, leased lines, dark fibre, and backhaul to mobile towers. BSNL has been tasked with providing 1.5 crore FTTH connections to households over the next five years.

Additionally, as part of the Digital India Programme, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing e-Panchayat MMP across all states and Union Territories. This initiative aims to improve the functioning of Panchayats, making them more transparent and efficient. The ministry has also launched eGramSwaraj, an online platform that simplifies planning, accounting, and budgeting for Panchayats.