As part of the Government of India’s Digital India initiative, 19 gram panchayats in the district have been successfully connected under the BharatNet Project, officials informed during a District-Level Telecom Committee meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that work is currently underway to connect the remaining gram panchayats to the high-speed broadband network. Panchayats operating from buildings other than their own will be issued permission letters by the concerned Block Development Officers, and necessary orders have already been released.
He further announced that remote gram panchayats in the Dodra Kwar region will also be integrated into the BharatNet network to ensure digital access in far-flung areas.
Telecom Infrastructure Review Ordered
During the meeting, Kashyap directed telecom companies to prepare records of irregular mobile towers operating in the district and initiate their regularization as per telecom policy guidelines. He emphasized that compliance is essential and instructed officials to conduct quarterly review meetings to monitor progress.
Senior officials including ADC Sachin Sharma and ADM (Law & Order) Pankaj Sharma were present at the meeting along with other stakeholders.
About the BharatNet Project
The BharatNet Project is a flagship initiative of the Central Government and is considered the backbone of the Digital India campaign. The project aims to build the world’s largest rural broadband network by connecting nearly 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and eventually 6.45 lakh villages through high-speed optical fiber connectivity.
BSNL is functioning as the project management agency for implementation.
Objectives and Implementation Model
The primary objective of BharatNet is to provide a minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps internet connectivity in rural areas. The project is being implemented in three phases:
- Phase 1: Connecting gram panchayats through underground optical fiber cables.
- Phase 2: Using a mix of fiber, radio, and satellite technology, especially in difficult terrains.
- Phase 3: Network upgradation and providing Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections.
Officials highlighted that the project is not only a technological initiative but also a major step toward rural social and economic transformation by enabling digital services, online education, e-governance, and economic opportunities.
