Centre, Gujarat govt join hands to bring high-speed internet to all villages under BharatNet programme
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% 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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
24 minutes ago
- Hans India
PM to launch projects worth Rs 7,200 crore in Bihar today
Patna: With an eye on Bihar Assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has intensified efforts to inaugurate and launch several infrastructure and development projects aimed at boosting state's economy. Modi will visit the state on Friday to lay foundation stones, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 7,200 crore at Motihari. The PM will also address a public meeting in Motihari. During his visit, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation multiple rail projects. It includes automatic signalling between Samastipur-Bachhwara rail line that will enable efficient train operations in this section. • Doubling of Darbhanga-Thalwara and Samastipur-Rambhadrapur rail line part of Darbhanga-Samastipur doubling project worth over Rs 580 crore that will enhance the capacity of train operations and reduce delays. • Automatic signalling on Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin rail line (114 km) to enable streamlined train operations. Upgradation of traction system in Bhatni-Chhapra Gramin section to enable higher train speeds by strengthening the traction system infrastructure and optimising energy efficiency. • Darbhanga-Narkatiaganj rail line doubling project worth around Rs 4,080 crore to increase sectional capacity, enable operation of more passenger and freight trains, strengthen connectivity between North Bihar and the rest of the country. Modi will also flag off four new Amrit Bharat trains between Rajendra Nagar Terminal (Patna) to New Delhi, Bapudham Motihari to Delhi (Anand Vihar Terminal), Darbhanga to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) and Malda Town to Lucknow (Gomti Nagar) via Bhagalpur improving connectivity in the region. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone for 4-laning of Ara bypass of NH-319 that connects Ara-Mohania NH-319 and Patna-Buxar NH-922 providing seamless connectivity and reducing travel time. He will also inaugurate the 4-lane Parariya to Mohania section of NH-319, worth over Rs 820 crore, part of NH-319 which connects Ara Town to NH-02 (Golden Quadrilateral) that will improve freight and passenger movement. Modi is also scheduled to inaugurate New Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility at Darbhanga and State of the art Incubation Facility of STPI at Patna for promoting IT/ITES/ESDM Industry and Startups. These facilities will help in boosting IT software and service exports. The PM will inaugurate a series of fisheries development projects sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). This will mark the launch of modern fisheries infrastructure including new fish hatcheries, biofloc units, ornamental fish farming, integrated aquaculture units, and fish feed mills across various districts in Bihar. Later in the day, the PM will release Rs 400 crore to around 61,500 Self-Help Groups in Bihar under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojna-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). With a special focus on women-led development, over 10 crore women have been connected to Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Hans India
24 minutes ago
- Hans India
Temasek, others can invest more if the ecosystem is conducive
The announcement by Temasek Holdings that it intends to deploy $3 billion-4 billion annually in India is good news, especially against the backdrop of less-than-desirable foreign direct investment (FDI) that we get. Net FDI, for instance, had a steep fall of over 96 per cent, to just $353 million, in 2024-25. There was recovery too, though, as in April received net FDI of $3.95 billion, the most in 35 months. The exposure of Singapore's sovereign wealth fund to India has increased to over $50 billion, as of March this year, up from $37 billion a year earlier. In March, Temasek picked up a 10 per cent stake in Haldiram's at a valuation of around $10 billion, which was termed as a 'prized asset.' 'We've been very active in investing behind family-run businesses, we can invest across the value chain,' Vishesh Shrivastav, managing director of Temasek's India investment team, said in a media interview. Earlier, Temasek invested in many family businesses in India, such as Manipal Hospitals and Dr Agarwal's Health Care. Temasek and other investors can become more bullish about India if our policy makers get their act together. To be sure, investors are closely watching India, which is widely regarded as one of the most promising emerging markets. With a large domestic market, a young and growing population, a thriving services sector, and increasing digital penetration, India offers tremendous potential for high returns over the long term. However, this optimism is often tempered by concerns over policy inconsistency, regulatory unpredictability, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. If Indian policymakers can address these challenges with clarity, consistency, and foresight, institutional investors like Temasek may significantly ramp up their commitments. Temasek has already invested in sectors such as financial services, technology, and healthcare in India. Yet, its future decisions will be influenced by the ease with which it can navigate India's regulatory environment, repatriate profits, and find long-term policy stability. A proactive policy framework, free of sudden reversals or overregulation, would send a strong signal of reliability. For instance, India's ongoing tax disputes and retrospective taxation policies have, in the past, deterred many investors. While some steps have been taken to reverse such measures, greater transparency and policy continuity are needed to rebuild long-term trust. Additionally, infrastructure bottlenecks, delays in project clearances, and land acquisition hurdles are key concerns. If the government expedites structural reforms—such as simplifying labour laws, digitising approval processes, and strengthening contract enforcement—it would greatly enhance the investment climate. Investors are also seeking greater alignment between central and state policies, as contradictions and delays in implementation at the state level can hamper project execution. Moreover, geopolitical tensions and trade dynamics increasingly factor into capital flows. With global investors diversifying away from China, India stands to benefit—but only if it positions itself as a stable and reform-oriented alternative. Clear communication from policymakers, timely execution of flagship initiatives like Make in India and Digital India, and consistency in environmental and ESG-related norms will help boost investor confidence. Temasek and other institutional investors are not just looking for growth—they are looking for predictable, rules-based systems where they can make long-term bets without fear of regulatory shocks. If Indian policymakers can deliver on this front, India could attract not just higher investment volumes but also longer-term, strategic capital, thus driving deeper transformation across its economy.
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Breakout stocks to buy or sell: Sumeet Bagadia recommends five shares to buy today — 18 July 2025
Breakout stocks buy or sell: Indian stock market indices — the Sensex and Nifty 50 — ended lower on Thursday, July 17, due to profit booking in select heavyweight stocks like Infosys, HDFC Bank, and Reliance Industries. The Sensex declined by 375 points, or 0.45%, closing at 82,259.24, while the Nifty 50 dropped 101 points, or 0.40%, to finish at 25,111.45. In contrast, the broader markets performed better, with the BSE Midcap index edging up 0.07% and the BSE Smallcap index gaining 0.30%. Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, believes that Indian stock market sentiment is positive as the Nifty 50 index is sustaining above 50-DEMA support of 24,900. Speaking on the outlook of Indian stock market, Bagadia said, ' The key benchmark index is facing hurdle at 25,250. On breaking above this hurdle, the 50-stock index would soon touch 25,500 and 25,700. So, one should maintain stock-specific approach and look at those stocks that are looking strong on the technical chart. Looking at breakout stocks can be a good option." 1] R R Kabel: Buy at ₹ 1461.80, target ₹ 1580, stop loss ₹ 1410; 2] Kajaria Ceramics: Buy at ₹ 1228.9, target ₹ 1315, stop loss ₹ 1185; 3] Syrma SGS Technology: Buy at ₹ 714.25, target ₹ 765, stop loss ₹ 689; 4] Asahi India Glass: Buy at ₹ 873.05, target ₹ 943, stop loss ₹ 842; 5] Chalet Hotels: Buy at ₹ 922.25, target ₹ 987, stop loss ₹ 889. Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
