Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the BharatNet initiative has successfully connected 2.12 lakh gram panchayats across India, significantly enhancing rural digital infrastructure. The project, part of the Digital India mission, aims to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to remote villages, bridging the urban-rural digital divide.
Scindia highlighted the government’s substantial infrastructure investment, stating that the Modi administration has allocated ₹11 lakh crore over the past year—five times more than the ₹2 lakh crore invested by the previous UPA government. This funding has accelerated development in railways, national highways, and telecommunications, strengthening India’s connectivity and manufacturing sectors.
BharatNet, implemented by Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is the world’s largest rural broadband initiative. It seeks to connect 2.5 lakh gram panchayats via fiber-optic networks, ensuring seamless internet access for education, healthcare, banking, and e-governance services.
Project Achievements & Future Plans
# 2.12 lakh gram panchayats connected as of February 2024.
# Expansion of 4G and 5G networks to improve rural digital access.
# Completion goal of 2.5 lakh gram panchayats by 2025.
# Strengthening telecom and digital infrastructure to support India’s economic growth.
Impact on Rural India
BharatNet enables online education, telemedicine, and e-governance, improving quality of life in rural areas. Improved connectivity helps farmers, MSMEs, and rural entrepreneurs access digital markets and financial services. Seamless broadband access enhances direct benefit transfers (DBT), digital payments, and government welfare schemes.
With BharatNet expanding connectivity across India, the government’s ₹11 lakh crore investment in infrastructure is driving digital inclusion and economic progress. Minister Scindia’s announcement underscores the government’s commitment to a technologically advanced and interconnected India.
