BharatNet misses broadband target; only 78,899 of 2.64 lakh panchayats covered

India's BharatNet rural broadband programme has failed to meet its goal of 1 Gbps connectivity to every gram panchayat, with only 78,899 of 2.64 lakh panchayats having operational points of presence as of February 2026, despite ₹40,635 crore spent. The Department of Telecommunications told a parliamentary panel that procurement delays, disputes, and terrain issues hindered progress. Utilisation also lagged, with under 9.5 lakh active fibre connections against a 1.5 crore target.