New Delhi: The government allocated Monday an additional Rs 19,041 crore to provide broadband connectivity in all villages under the BharatNet project. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had August 15, 2020 announced that all villages will be connected with broadband in 1,000 days.
Additional Rs 19,041 crore is being provided so that the commitment that in 1,000 days from 2020 all villages will have broadband connectivity is fulfilled, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while announcing stimulus measures for various sectors. “Total outlay for this Bharatnet project goes up to Rs 61,109 crore,” she added.
Sitharaman further said Rs 42,068 crore has been already utilised for reaching 1,56,223 gram panchayats that are now ready for broadband services as of May 31, this year. “Now with this additional Rs 19,041 crore we should be able to complete the rest,” Sitharaman informed.
Under the BharatNet project, the government initially targeted to cover all 2.52 lakh gram panchayats with high-speed broadband services. The Prime Minister later announced expansion of the project to cover all villages as well.
