SRINAGAR, June 12, 2025 — Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Sterlite Technologies Limited (STL) signed a ₹2,631.14 crore agreement on June 11, 2025, to implement the Amended BharatNet Project in the Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Telecom Circles. Funded by the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the initiative aims to deliver high-speed broadband to all inhabited Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages, advancing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to bridge the digital divide and empower rural communities.
The contract, part of BharatNet Phase III’s Package 13, involves a consortium of STL and Dilip Buildcon Limited tasked with designing, building, upgrading, and maintaining the middle-mile optical fiber network. It includes ₹1,620.50 crore for capital expenditure and ₹972.30 crore for operations over a three-year construction phase and a ten-year maintenance period. The project will provide at least 100 Mbps bandwidth to each GP, enabling access to e-governance, e-health, and e-education services while fostering digital inclusion.
“This agreement is a pivotal step toward a digitally connected Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh,” said a BSNL official. “It will transform rural areas by providing reliable internet access, supporting both economic growth and social empowerment.” The project builds on BharatNet’s nationwide progress, which has connected 2.09 lakh GPs with 6.92 lakh kilometers of optical fiber as of December 2024.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hailed the initiative as a boost to regional development and tourism revival efforts. “Improved connectivity will enhance visitor experiences in destinations like Nagwari in Kupwara and support events like the recent Shikara Show on Dal Lake,” he said. The project is expected to create jobs and empower village-level entrepreneurs (BharatNet Udyamis) to deliver last-mile connectivity, strengthening local economies.
Srinagar’s newly appointed Deputy Commissioner, Akshay Labroo, emphasized the project’s alignment with community initiatives like the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan in Reasi. “High-speed internet will amplify awareness campaigns and empower our youth,” Labroo noted. Despite challenges posed by the region’s rugged terrain, the project leverages BSNL’s robust infrastructure, following its merger with Bharat Broadband Network Limited in 2022.
The BharatNet initiative in J&K and Ladakh is set to connect thousands of villages, ensuring equitable access to digital services for all telecom providers. As the region prepares for events like the Amarnath Yatra 2025, enhanced connectivity will further cement its role as a hub of tourism, culture, and digital progress.
