Dodra Kwar Panchayats to be Connected Under BharatNet
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19 Gram Panchayats Already Linked in Shimla
Shimla, March 23, 2026:
In a major push towards digital connectivity in rural areas, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap announced that gram panchayats of the remote Dodra Kwar region will soon be connected under the BharatNet project. The announcement was made during a district-level Telecom Committee meeting held today.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that 19 gram panchayats in the district have already been connected through the BharatNet initiative, while work is underway to link the remaining पंचायतों. He also directed that panchayats operating from shared or non-owned buildings be issued necessary permissions by concerned Block Development Officers to facilitate smooth implementation.
Highlighting the need for better telecom infrastructure management, the DC instructed all telecom companies to prepare records of irregular mobile towers and initiate their regularisation in accordance with telecom policy. He further stated that quarterly review meetings will now be conducted to monitor progress in this regard.
Senior officials including ADC Sachin Sharma and ADM (Law & Order) Pankaj Sharma were present during the meeting.
Transforming Rural Connectivity
BharatNet, a flagship initiative under the Digital India programme, aims to build the world’s largest rural broadband network by connecting around 2.5 lakh gram panchayats and eventually over 6 lakh villages with high-speed optical fibre connectivity. The project is being implemented with BSNL as the Project Management Agency.
The initiative seeks to provide minimum bandwidth of 100 Mbps in rural areas through a phased rollout involving optical fibre, radio, and satellite technologies, especially in difficult terrains. Beyond connectivity, BharatNet is expected to drive socio-economic transformation by enabling access to digital services, education, healthcare, and governance in rural India.
