Raipur: In a significant boost for Chhattisgarh’s digital infrastructure, the Central Government has approved ₹3,942 crore under the Revised BharatNet Program for the state. Officials confirmed on Wednesday that the funding, sanctioned by the Ministry of Communications, represents a landmark step in enhancing digital services in rural areas.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for the approval, calling it a historic milestone in rural digital empowerment.
Over 11,000 Panchayats to Benefit
Under the ambitious program, 11,682 gram panchayats in Chhattisgarh will be connected using ring topology network architecture. This advanced network structure ensures:
- High reliability and secure connections
- Uninterrupted digital services
- Robust platform for e-governance, education, health, and entrepreneurship
Officials highlighted that this digital backbone will transform governance and service delivery in remote areas, especially in districts like Bastar, which have been a focus for rural digital expansion.
Read also: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Inaugurates City Gas Infrastructure Project to Supply PNG and CNG
Expanding E-Governance and Online Services
CM Vishnu Deo Sai emphasized that the project will enhance e-governance services across rural Chhattisgarh. Key benefits include:
- Strengthened online education initiatives
- Telemedicine services reaching remote villages
- New economic opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs
- Faster, transparent access to government schemes
He described digital connectivity as more than internet access, calling it the new lifeline for a developed Chhattisgarh, capable of linking villages to the digital economy.
Boosting Transparency and Efficiency
The Chief Minister underlined that digital expansion would:
- Increase transparency in governance
- Ensure faster delivery of services
- Enable villages to participate in the digital economy effectively
“This initiative is not just a technological upgrade but a step toward creating a digitally empowered, self-reliant, and secure Chhattisgarh,” CM Sai remarked.
Focus on Rural Development and Bastar Region
The state government is actively implementing schemes to promote rural development. The BharatNet approval complements these efforts by providing connectivity even to remote tribal and forested regions, enabling access to education, health, and entrepreneurship opportunities previously limited by geography.
Officials confirmed that the Revised BharatNet Project will serve as a foundation for Chhattisgarh’s digital revolution, benefiting residents, businesses, and local governance institutions across the state.
CM Sai’s Statement on the Historic Approval
CM Vishnu Deo Sai said, “With the support of the Central Government, Chhattisgarh is rapidly progressing as a digitally empowered, secure, and self-reliant state. This project will accelerate rural empowerment and strengthen the state’s economy and governance in every corner.”
The project is expected to transform Chhattisgarh into a model of rural digital empowerment, bridging the urban-rural digital divide and creating new opportunities for the youth and local communities.
Read also: Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai Announces Recruitment of 5,000 Teachers to Boost Education Quality
