Ranchi: Jharkhand has taken a major step towards expanding high-speed internet access in rural and digitally underserved areas. The Government of India, Jharkhand government and Jharkhand Digital Infrastructure Corporation Limited (JDICL) have signed a Project Implementation and Support Agreement for the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP), also known as BharatNet Phase-III.
The agreement aims to strengthen rural digital infrastructure and provide reliable broadband connectivity across the state. Under the programme, 260 blocks, 4,395 Gram Panchayats and 26,777 non-GP villages will be brought under the digital network.
BharatNet Phase-III to Expand Rural Connectivity
The programme, being implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, focuses on improving internet access in areas where digital connectivity remains limited.
The agreement was signed on September 10 between the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), Government of India, the Jharkhand government and JDICL.
Shyamal Mishra, Administrator of DBN, represented the central government. From Jharkhand, Information Technology Department Secretary Pooja Singhal and Director Madhavi Mishra signed the agreement.
The expansion is expected to support access to online government services, digital education, healthcare services, financial services and other internet-based opportunities in rural areas.
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4,395 Panchayats and 26,777 Villages to Benefit
A key component of the project is the expansion and strengthening of the existing BharatNet network.
Under the plan:
- 4,387 Gram Panchayats will be upgraded to Ring Topology.
- 8 new Gram Panchayats will be connected to the network.
- 26,777 non-GP villages will receive digital network connectivity.
The Ring Topology upgrade is expected to improve network capacity and reliability by creating a stronger and more resilient digital infrastructure.
Over 4.39 Lakh FTTH Connections Planned
The project also includes a major expansion of Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) connectivity.
A total of 4,39,049 FTTH connections are planned over a period of five years. The government will expand high-speed broadband services in Gram Panchayats and non-GP villages based on local demand.
The FTTH expansion could make high-speed internet more accessible to households and institutions in rural areas. It can also help bridge the digital divide between better-connected urban centres and remote parts of the state.
Digital Infrastructure to Get a Major Upgrade
The BharatNet Phase-III project will not only focus on last-mile connectivity but will also strengthen the infrastructure supporting the network.
Construction and upgradation of Middle-Mile Infrastructure will form an important part of the programme. This infrastructure will help connect local networks with the wider broadband network and support reliable data transmission.
Jharkhand will also establish and operate a State Network Operations Centre (SNOC). The centre will help monitor and manage the state’s digital network and improve the efficiency of network operations.
Push for Digital Services and Rural Development
Improved internet connectivity can have a wider impact on rural development. With better broadband access, residents in villages can access government portals, digital payments, online learning platforms, telemedicine services and other digital facilities without depending as heavily on physical access to urban centres.
For government departments, stronger connectivity can also improve the delivery of digital public services and communication with local administrative units.
The BharatNet Phase-III rollout therefore represents more than an expansion of internet infrastructure. By connecting thousands of villages and strengthening the existing network, the programme can support greater digital inclusion and create better opportunities for education, employment, entrepreneurship and public service delivery across rural Jharkhand.
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