New Delhi, July 01: Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the revised implementation strategy of BharatNet through Public-Private Partnership mode in 16 states of the country.

 

During the press conference, Ravi Shankar Prasad said the revised strategy also includes creation, upgrading, operation, maintenance, and utilization of BharatNet by the concessionaire who will be selected by a competitive international bidding process.

 

 

 

He said, "Viability gap funding support of up to Rs 19,041 crores has been approved. All remaining States/UTs to be covered." The project will enable the extension of BharatNet broadband connectivity to all remaining villages.

 

According to the press release, Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh will be covered under the cabinet approval.

 

PPP Model will leverage the efficiency of the Private Sector for operation, maintenance, utilization, and revenue generation. It is expected to result in a faster rollout of BharatNet. Selected Private Sector Partner is expected to provide reliable, high-speed broadband services in accordance with thepre-defined Services Level Agreement (SLA).

 

Extension of BharatNet across all inhabited villages with reliable, quality, high-speed broadband will help in accessing better e-services offered by Central and State Government agencies.

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