Jharkhand Moves Forward with Implementation of Amended BharatNet Programme

Government of India–Government of Jharkhand collaboration to strengthen broadband connectivity across 260 Blocks, 4,395 Gram Panchayats and 26,777 non-GP villages

Ranchi, 10 September 2026: A significant step has been taken towards strengthening digital connectivity in Jharkhand with the signing of the Project Implementation and Support Agreement for the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) – BharatNet Phase III.

The agreement was signed on 10 September 2026 between Government of India Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), Government of Jharkhand and Jharkhand Digital Infrastructure Corporation Limited (JDICL). Administrator DBN Shri Shyamal Mishra was present on behalf of Government of India and Smt. Pooja Singhal, Secretary, Department of Information Technology,  and Ms Madhavi Mishra , Director Government of Jharkhand signed  the agreement on behalf of Government of Jharkhand . 

Under leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren , The Amended BharatNet Programme is being implemented as a collaborative initiative of the Government of India and the Government of Jharkhand, with the objective of expanding reliable and high-speed broadband connectivity across rural and underserved areas of the State.

The programme will cover 260 Blocks, 4,395 Gram Panchayats and 26,777 non-GP villages. The initiative will strengthen the digital infrastructure of the State and provide a platform for extending broadband services to rural households, Government institutions and other users.

The programme envisages the following major infrastructure and service delivery components:

* Upgradation of 4,387 existing Gram Panchayats to Ring Topology.
* Connectivity of 8 new Gram Panchayats through Ring Topology.
* Provision of 4,39,049 FTTH connections over a period of five years.
* Extension of high-speed broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats and non-GP villages on a demand basis.
* Creation and upgradation of Middle-Mile Infrastructure to enhance network capacity and reliability.
* Establishment and operation of a State Network Operations Centre (SNOC) in Jharkhand.
* Provision of Project Management Consultancy (PMC) support by BSNL to JDICL for implementation of the programme.

Connectivity to Rural Households and Government Institutions

The programme will facilitate the expansion of fibre-based broadband connectivity to rural households, with priority being accorded to Government institutions and rural areas.

Improved broadband availability is expected to strengthen access to e-Governance, education, healthcare, digital services and other online facilities for citizens in rural and underserved areas of Jharkhand.

The strengthened network infrastructure will also support the delivery of citizen-centric services and enable greater use of digital platforms by Government institutions and rural communities.

Centre–State Cooperation for Digital Connectivity

The Amended BharatNet Programme represents an important Centre–State collaboration between the Government of India and the Government of Jharkhand for strengthening digital infrastructure and expanding broadband connectivity in rural and underserved areas.

The initiative is aligned with the  objective of improving digital access and strengthening the infrastructure required for effective delivery of digital public services.

The Government of Jharkhand, under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren, is working in close coordination with the Government of India and the implementing agencies for effective execution of the programme and for ensuring that the benefits of improved digital connectivity reach rural communities across the State.