New Delhi, February 5: The BharatNet project has successfully provided broadband connectivity to 214,904 gram panchayats across the country, significantly enhancing digital connectivity in remote areas. This announcement was made by Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmashani, Minister of State for Communications and rural development, on Thursday.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister stated, “The government has initiated several measures and key projects to expand high-speed broadband and mobile connectivity in rural, border, and aspirational districts. By December 2025, the BharatNet project aims to connect 214,904 gram panchayats with broadband services. Additionally, under the 4G saturation project and other mobile initiatives, 23,694 mobile towers have been activated.”
The minister further noted that improvements in digital connectivity have played a crucial role in bridging geographical gaps, particularly in remote and underserved areas, thereby enhancing access to education, healthcare, and government services. Digital transformation has fundamentally changed how citizens interact with essential services.
To ensure the quality of telecommunications services, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has adopted service quality (QoS) standards and other global benchmarks. The performance of telecom service providers is regularly monitored based on these criteria.
According to the central minister, the government has taken several steps to make telecommunications services affordable across all sectors. These include active policies, the implementation of the Telecom Act 2023 for regulatory simplification, and the establishment of the Digital India Fund (formerly the Universal Service Obligation Fund) to provide financial support for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of telecom services in commercially unviable rural and remote areas.