1.19 lakh village blocks service-ready under BharatNet- I: BBNL CMD

NEW DELHI: The government has connected 1.19 lakh village blocks in the first phase of its ambitious BharatNet program, the top official overseeing its implementation said.

BharatNet, a digital connectivity initiative launched by the UPA government in 2011, is aimed at linking 2.5 lakh village blocks encompassing more than 6 lakh villages for seamless delivery of citizen-centric services.

The target to complete the program, which missed several deadlines, was March this year. This has escalated costs to Rs 70,000 crore from an estimated to cost Rs. 20,000 crore earlier.