The Union Cabinet has given its approval for the second phase of the BharatNet project, under which 1,50,000 gram panchayats will be connected with optic fibre cable (OFC).

The original target set by the government for laying down OFC in one lakh gram panchayats was March 2015, but was later advanced to March 2017.

The approval entails a total estimated expenditure of Rs 42,068 crore for the implementation of BharatNet, which will be funded from Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

Of this, Rs 11,148 crore is the cost of providing connectivity to 1,00,000 gram panchayats in phase-I, and Rs 18,792 crore for providing connectivity to the remaining 1,50,000 gram panchayats in phase-II.

The remaining amount is for such essential activities not covered in the initial BharatNet framework, which includes last mile connectivity architecture, operation and maintenance, and replacement of BSNL’s poor quality fibre being used in the project between block to gram panchayat.

In the second phase,a mix of underground fibre, aerial fibre, and radio and satellite media will be used to connect the remaining gram panchayats.

As of end of March 2017, 22 percent of gram panchayats were connected with fibre cable.

The balance gram panchayats will be provided with active connectivity by September 2017.