New Delhi: In a major push to strengthen rural digital connectivity, the Centre has approved ₹5,629 crore for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat, aimed at expanding broadband infrastructure and improving last-mile internet access across the state.
An addendum to the implementation agreement was signed on Thursday between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Government of Gujarat, Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi.
The project will be implemented under the State-led model through GFGNL.
Under the programme, broadband infrastructure will cover 14,287 Gram Panchayats, including the upgradation of 14,264 existing Gram Panchayats from a linear to a ring topology to improve network reliability, along with connectivity for 23 newly created Gram Panchayats. Additionally, 3,895 villages will receive broadband connectivity on demand to strengthen last-mile access.
The government said the project is expected to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre connections, significantly improving access to digital services such as e-governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and other citizen-centric services in rural and remote areas.
The Amended BharatNet Programme was approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2023 to upgrade, consolidate and expand the country’s rural broadband network and provide future-ready internet connectivity to Gram Panchayats and villages across India.
Digital Bharat Nidhi, formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF), functions under the Department of Telecommunications and supports telecom infrastructure development in underserved rural, remote and border regions through programmes including BharatNet, the 4G Saturation Project, and mobile connectivity initiatives in aspirational districts, Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, the Northeast, Himalayan regions and islands.
