The department of telecommunications (DoT) is soon going to invite the private sector in implementing the BharatNet project, which has already seen several delays and cost escalation. Through the project, originally conceived in 2011, the government wants to provide high-speed broadband connectivity through optic fibre to all 2.5 lakh gram panchayats in the country. Due to the delays, the cost of the project has more than doubled to Rs 42,068 crore from the original Rs 20,000 crore.
According to sources, the government is working on a revised implementation strategy for creation, maintenance and utilisation of BharatNet under public-private partnership (PPP) model. A request for proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued in the coming few months inviting private players to participate in the project.
