The Indian government has undertaken several key measures to enhance broadband connectivity in rural areas and bridge the digital divide through the National Broadband Mission (NBM). These initiatives include streamlining infrastructure development, ensuring stable broadband access, and funding projects to expand high-speed internet services across the country, including Tamil Nadu.
Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal and Right of Way Reforms
To accelerate broadband expansion, the government launched the Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal on May 14, 2022, simplifying the Right of Way (RoW) approval process for laying Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) and installing telecom towers. Further reforms through the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and the Telecommunications (Right of Way) Rules, 2024—effective January 1, 2025—have further streamlined the RoW process, ensuring faster implementation of telecom infrastructure projects.
Broadband Expansion through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN)
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is actively working to ensure reliable broadband access in rural areas with financial support from Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Key initiatives under this mission include
- Amended BharatNet Project: Providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand.
- High-Speed Internet and Mobile Connectivity: Expanding 4G and high-speed internet services in remote regions, including the North-East, Islands, Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas, Aspirational Districts, and border villages.
- Submarine Optical Fiber Connectivity: Laying undersea fiber optic cables between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Kochi and Lakshadweep, significantly improving internet speed and reliability in these regions.
BharatNet Implementation in Tamil Nadu
Under the state-led model in Tamil Nadu, the government has allocated ₹1,544.44 crore (excluding taxes) for BharatNet implementation. As of February 28, 2025, ₹1,093.74 crore has been utilized. The project has achieved the following milestones
- 10,298 Gram Panchayats (GPs) out of 12,524 have been made service-ready.
- 53,511 route kilometers of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) have been laid across the state.
National Broadband Mission 2.0: The Next Phase
Building on the success of NBM 1.0, the government will launch National Broadband Mission (NBM) 2.0 on April 1, 2025. This phase aims to accelerate India’s digital transformation, enhance global competitiveness, and ensure seamless broadband connectivity across urban and rural landscapes.
