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Key Points

The Centre and Gujarat government have joined forces under the BharatNet programme to provide high-speed internet to villages across the state. This initiative is set to significantly enhance rural connectivity, benefiting education, healthcare, and livelihoods. The project's approval includes substantial funding, ensuring a robust digital infrastructure that supports local needs and innovation. BSNL will oversee the implementation, aiming to connect over 14,000 gram panchayats with reliable internet services.

Key Points: Centre Gujarat Govt Boost Rural Internet with BharatNet

  • BharatNet aims for 98% uptime in Gujarat villages
  • 14,654 gram panchayats to get high-speed internet
  • Rs 5,631 crore approved for Gujarat project
  • BSNL to manage and execute BharatNet
2 min read

Centre, Gujarat govt join hands to bring high-speed internet to all villages under BharatNet programme

BharatNet partners Centre and Gujarat for high-speed internet in villages, transforming communities.

"The network will also open doors for innovation. - Source"

New Delhi, June 24

In a major boost to rural connectivity, the Centre in partnership with the Gujarat government, on Tuesday, took a big step towards providing high-speed internet access to villages across the state.

With a goal of more than 98 per cent service uptime, the amended BharatNet programme will ensure that even the most remote parts of Gujarat have access to reliable digital platforms, helping to improve education, healthcare, livelihoods, and overall quality of life.

A quadripartite agreement was signed in Gandhinagar between the Indian government's Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Gujarat government, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL).

This agreement hands over all BharatNet-related responsibilities in Gujarat to GFGNL and allows the agency to implement the updated scheme under the Amended BharatNet Programme.

This partnership marks a significant milestone for Gujarat, which is the first among eight states to adopt the BharatNet project under the state-led model.

The state has already received in-principle approval of Rs 5,631 crore for capital expenditure and 10 years of maintenance support for the project.

The project aims to connect all 14,654 gram panchayats and non-gram panchayat villages across Gujarat with fast, stable internet.

By building a future-ready digital infrastructure, the initiative is expected to support local communities through improved access to digital services.

Government departments will be able to connect with citizens more directly, delivering services tailored to the needs of farmers, women, students and entrepreneurs.

The network will also open doors for innovation.

With fibre connectivity reaching mobile towers, field offices, families and financial businesses, the programme will boost mobile signals, enable real-time governance, offer household broadband, and support rural fintech and startups.

Under the broader Amended BharatNet Programme, the government plans to provide optical fibre connectivity to 2.64 lakh gram panchayats and about 3.8 lakh non-gram panchayat villages across the country.

The Union Cabinet had approved the scheme on August 4, 2023, with a total programme cost of Rs 1.39 lakh crore.

BSNL will serve as the project management agency, with professional partners executing the work under the "Design, Build, Operate, and Maintain model".

The project will ensure high-speed internet with a minimum download speed of 25 Mbps for each Fiber-to-the-Home user.

Over the next five years, 1.5 crore rural homes, institutions and enterprises across the country are expected to benefit from this massive digital transformation.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh P.
This is a fantastic initiative! Gujarat leading the way as usual. Digital connectivity in villages will transform education and healthcare access. Hope other states follow soon. 🙌 #DigitalIndia
P
Priya M.
Good step but implementation is key. My village in Rajasthan got BharatNet 2 years back but the internet speed is still pathetic. Hope Gujarat gets better execution with state government involvement.
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Amit K.
₹5,631 crore is a huge investment! Hope the money is used properly. This can really help farmers get better prices through e-NAM and other platforms. Digital revolution reaching villages is the need of the hour.
S
Sunita R.
As someone who moved from village to city for education, I know how difficult it is without proper internet. This will help so many students access online learning resources. Hope they maintain the promised 98% uptime!
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Vijay D.
BSNL needs to up its game if they're handling this. Their service in cities is already not great. Why not involve private players too for better competition and quality?
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Neha T.
Great news! My cousin in Kutch village will finally be able to attend online classes properly. The 25Mbps speed promise is good, but hope it's consistent. Also, digital literacy programs should run parallel to this infrastructure development.
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Harsh B.
This is how we bridge the urban-rural divide! Internet access can create so many opportunities - from telemedicine to e-commerce for local artisans. Gujarat model working again 👍

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