RANCHI, SEPTEMBER 10, 2026: In a major push toward bridging the digital divide, the Government of Jharkhand has formally partnered with the Government of India to rollout the Amended BharatNet Programme (Phase III). The tripartite Project Implementation and Support Agreement was executed today between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Government of Jharkhand, and the Jharkhand Digital Infrastructure Corporation Limited (JDICL).

The landmark agreement was signed in Ranchi in the presence of DBN Administrator Shri Shyamal Mishra representing the Union Government, alongside Smt. Pooja Singhal (Secretary, Department of IT) and Ms. Madhavi Mishra (Director) representing the State Government.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren, this joint initiative aims to deliver high-speed, reliable broadband infrastructure across rural and remote areas of the state, directly targeting 260 blocks, 4,395 Gram Panchayats (GPs), and 26,777 non-GP villages.

Key Infrastructure & Project Highlights

• Network Upgradation: Upgrading 4,387 existing Gram Panchayats and connecting 8 new Gram Panchayats using Ring Topology for fault-tolerant network stability.
• FTTH Connections: Provision of 4,39,049 Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections over a 5-year timeline.
• Last-Mile Expansion: Demand-based extension of high-speed broadband to rural households and non-GP villages.
• Middle-Mile & Centralized Operations: Upgrading middle-mile network capacity and setting up a dedicated State Network Operations Centre (SNOC) in Jharkhand.
• Implementation Support: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) will serve as the Project Management Consultant (PMC) for JDICL.

Empowering Rural Governance and Services

The expanded fiber network prioritizes connections to government institutions, schools, healthcare centers, and rural households. By building a robust middle- and last-mile infrastructure, the initiative provides the foundation for seamlessly delivering citizen-centric digital services, expanding e-governance, enabling remote learning, and enhancing telehealth access in underserved regions.

This collaboration reflects a synchronized effort between the Central and State governments to strengthen digital public infrastructure and ensure equal access to the digital economy for every village in Jharkhand.

IPRD Jharkhand

साभार: आईपीआरडी, रांची, झारखंड।