Raipur MP seeks independent oversight of BharatNet after ₹1,754-crore network remains defunct in Chhattisgarh

Raipur

Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal on Monday urged the Centre to constitute an independent monitoring committee to oversee the implementation of the revamped BharatNet project in Chhattisgarh, citing large-scale failures in the earlier phases despite substantial public expenditure.

Raising the issue under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, Agrawal said the state’s rural population continues to be deprived of e-governance, e-health and e-education services because the BharatNet infrastructure has largely remained non-functional.

Referring to official figures, he said optical fibre cable was laid in 4,114 gram panchayats during BharatNet Phase I, but internet services are currently operational in only 595 gram panchayats, while connectivity has stopped functioning in the remaining 3,519. In Phase II, internet services are reportedly unavailable in all 5,540 gram panchayats even after an expenditure of ₹1,754 crore.

He said the situation has been aggravated by a dispute between the Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS) and maintenance contractor Tata Projects Limited over payment of bills, with the matter now pending before a court. As a result, infrastructure created at a cost of ₹1,754 crore remains unusable.

Agrawal called for the formation of an independent committee before the release of the newly sanctioned ₹3,942 crore under the revised BharatNet programme. He said the committee should examine shortcomings in the previous phases, facilitate resolution of disputes between implementing agencies, and monitor the deployment, operation and maintenance of the new infrastructure to ensure accountability.

He said villages are central to the country’s development and that access to reliable digital services has become a basic necessity for rural communities. Describing BharatNet as a key pillar of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India initiative, he stressed that effective monitoring is essential to ensure the benefits of digital connectivity reach people in remote areas.

Under the BharatNet scheme, BSNL offers a subsidised rural broadband plan at ₹259 per month. However, Agrawal said the non-functional network has prevented villagers from availing themselves of these services despite the availability of the scheme.