Punjab Becomes First State to Fully Implement Amended BharatNet Scheme

0.1 News Summary :

0.2 Concept Explanation:

0.3 One-Liner for Revision:

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News Summary :

Punjab has become the first Indian state to fully implement the amended BharatNet Scheme across all districts.
The scheme provides broadband connectivity to nearly all villages, bridging the rural–urban digital gap.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha received the award for implementation excellence from Ajay Kumar Kararha, CGM, BSNL Punjab Circle.
Broadband has reached 43 shadow areas, with only one village pending completion (expected by November 2025).
The project also enables live monitoring of border regions, and supports e-governance and e-health services statewide.

About the BharatNet Scheme:

Launched: 25 October 2011 (originally as National Optical Fibre Network).
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Communications (Department of Telecommunications).
Objective: To provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats, enabling digital services such as e-governance, e-education, e-health, and online financial inclusion.
Technology: Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network from blocks to Gram Panchayats, using ring topology for redundancy and high-speed data transfer.
Amended BharatNet (Phase III): Focuses on last-mile connectivity to all inhabited villages and ensures central monitoring (CNOC) and 10-year operation & maintenance support.
Estimated cost: ₹1.39 lakh crore (₹1,39,579 crore).

Why It Matters:

Key Facts / Data for SSC Prelims:

Parameter	Detail
Scheme Name	Amended BharatNet Programme
Launched (Original)	25 October 2011
Implementing Agency	Bharat Broadband Network Ltd (BBNL) under DoT
Funding Type	Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF)
Objective	Broadband to all Gram Panchayats & inhabited villages
Punjab Coverage	43 shadow areas + all villages (by Nov 2025)
Scheme Cost	₹1,39,579 crore
Technology	OFC ring topology, IP-MPLS network, CNOC monitoring
Award Recognition	KAP Sinha (Chief Secretary, Punjab) honoured by BSNL CGM

“Punjab is India’s first state to fully implement the Amended BharatNet Scheme, ensuring rural broadband and border connectivity.”