Punjab becomes first state to fully roll out amended Bharat Net scheme
Punjab has earned the distinction of being the first state in India to fully implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme. This achievement highlights the advancements achieved by the Mann-led government in the technology sector.
The Chief Secretary, Punjab, KAP Sinha received the award from CGM BSNL Punjab Circle Ajay Kumar Kararha in Chandigarh.
This award stands as a testimony to the ever-growing foundation of the Punjab state in the technological sphere. KAP Singh claims that the internet and broadband services are being provided to 43 shadow areas in the state with only one village remaining. By the end of November, every village will be included under this scheme. Chief Minister Mann’s emphasis on streamlining Punjab’s technological landscape has not only made the State a frontrunner in implementing the Bharat Net Scheme but also paved the way for broader digital inclusion to rural sectors.
This is the beginning of broadband revolution in the rural areas, KAP Singh added that it would be a major step forward in boosting the Punjab Government’s good-governance roadmap. Now even the villages would become a part of a big digital family.
Importantly, the Bharat Net Scheme targets broadband connectivity to all rural and gram panchayats besides households and institutions. It also aspires to e-health and e-governance in rural sectors.
The Chief General Manager (CGM) of BSNL informed the Chief Secretary of Punjab that Punjab is the first state in India where the “S-NOC” system under the Amended Bharat Net Project is working. This system can be monitored in real-time from anywhere in the country. The project has now been launched in Punjab, starting from the Harsha Chinna block in Amritsar.
With strong sup Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s good governance has achieved the the honour of becoming the first state in the country to implement the amended Bharat Net Scheme. This award recognizes the progress made by the state government in the technology sector.
The Chief Secretary, Punjab, KAP Sinha, received the award from CGM BSNL Punjab Circle Ajay Kumar Kararha in Chandigarh.
This award stands as a testimony to the ever-growing foundation of the Punjab state in the technological sphere. KAP Singh claims that the internet and broadband services are being provided to 43 shadow areas in the state with only one village remaining. By the end of November, every village will be included under this scheme.
Notably, Chief Minister Mann’s emphasis on streamlining Punjab’s technological landscape has not only made the state a frontrunner in implementing the Bharat Net Scheme but also paved the way for broader digital inclusion to rural sectors.
This is the beginning of broadband revolution in the rural areas, KAP Singh said, adding that it would be a major step forward in boosting the Punjab Government’s good-governance roadmap. Now, even the villages would become a part of a big digital family.
Importantly, the Bharat Net Scheme targets broadband connectivity to all rural and gram panchayats besides households and institutions. It also aspires to e-health and e-governance in rural sectors.
The Chief General Manager (CGM) of BSNL earlier informed the Chief Secretary of Punjab that Punjab is the first state in India where the “S-NOC” system under the Amended Bharat Net Project is working. This system can be monitored in real-time from anywhere in the country. The project has now been launched in Punjab, starting from the Harsha Chinna block in Amritsar.
With strong support and coordination from various state government agencies and local officers, 1000 kilometers of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and about 400 kilometers of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) have already been laid across 22 blocks in Punjab. This progress was made possible by a coordination meeting held in June 2025, which was co-chaired by the Chief Secretary of Punjab and the Secretary of Telecom from the Government of India.