Centre allocates Rs 19,041-crore more for BharatNet last leg

NEW DELHI: The government on Monday said it has allocated an additional Rs 19.041-crore towards the expansion and upgradation of BharatNet, a nationwide initiative to connect 6 lakh villages with optic fibre-based network for the delivery of Internet services.

Of the targeted 2.5 lakh gram panchayats (village blocks) covering more than 6 lakh villages, 1,56,223 blocks have been covered by May 31, the latest data released by the government showed. The additional outlay will be used to connect the balance.