Chandigarh, November 12, 2025 — Punjab has become the first state in India to fully implement the revised BharatNet scheme, bringing high-speed broadband internet to every village, officials said Tuesday.
Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha received the award from BSNL CGM Ajay Kumar Karara, noting that the project marks “a new dawn for the 30 million people of Punjab.” Sinha said that high-speed internet has already reached 43 blocks, with every village expected to be connected by the end of November.
Over 1,000 kilometers of fiber-optic cables have been laid to link villages, panchayats, and households to the digital network. Sinha described the achievement as a collective effort of the people of Punjab, adding, “This is not just about technology—it is about giving wings to Punjab’s dreams. Wi-Fi reaching Ramkalwan, a border village in Pathankot, reflects the government’s commitment.”
The scheme is expected to have significant impact on agriculture, education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment. Nearly 60% of Punjab’s population relies on farming. With broadband access, farmers can check market prices, weather updates, and apply for schemes like MSP and PM-KISAN online. Direct access to buyers could reduce dependence on middlemen and boost incomes.
For students, the scheme opens doors to online classes, lectures from experts, and free educational resources previously limited to urban areas. Around three million children in government schools will now be able to access the same quality of education as those in cities.
Healthcare services will expand through telemedicine, allowing people in remote areas to consult specialists via video calls, potentially saving lives in villages with limited medical infrastructure.
Women will also benefit from the initiative, with access to online businesses, banking, courses, and government schemes. Sinha noted that “this project could mark the beginning of a major social transformation in Punjab.”
Officials said that the project reflects Punjab’s focus on practical implementation of Digital India goals, rather than leaving initiatives on paper.
