DoT holds high-level roundtable meeting with State IT Ministers and Secretaries for rapid expansion of digital connectivity and infrastructure

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Communications PIB Delhi Read the original release on pib.gov.in

• Union Minister Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia and Minister of State Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani presided over the meeting.
• “To realize the vision of a developed India @2047, we have to work as ‘Team India’ by expediting Right of Way (RoW) approvals and extending BharatNet and last mile 4G coverage”: Shri Scindia to Ministers of State
• Centre, States/UTs reiterate commitment towards rapid expansion of telecom infrastructure and citizen-centric digital services
• IT Ministers and Secretaries of State Governments discuss ROW reforms, BharatNet, 4G connectivity and digital inclusion at IMC 2026 roundtable

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, held a high-level roundtable with IT Ministers and Secretaries of State Governments on the occasion of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026. The meeting was jointly chaired by Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Union Minister of Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, along with Dr. Chandrashekhar Pemmasani, Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development and Shri Amit Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Telecommunications.

The Round Table Meeting provided a platform for candid dialogue and coordination between the Centre, States and Union Territories on key issues related to telecommunications, digital infrastructure and citizen-centric digital services. Themes of IMC 2026, “Scale Without Boundaries” In line with this, the discussions focused on expanding digital connectivity, accelerating infrastructure deployment and strengthening Centre-State cooperation to achieve India's digital transformation and the vision of a developed India by the year 2047.

Addressing the meeting, Union Minister for Communications and Development of North Eastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said, “Telecom may be a Union List subject, but digital infrastructure is built on state soil, making our states true co-partners in taking forward the National Broadband Mission 2.0. To realize the vision of a Developed India @2047, we have to work as ‘Team India’ – by expediting Right of Way approvals The objective will be to ensure benefits of SASCI capital incentives, extend BharatNet and 4G coverage to the last mile, secure the network through Sanchar Sathi and expand Samrudh Gram, so that connectivity can bring meaningful change in the lives of every citizen.”

The discussions underlined the important role played by States and Union Territories in the successful expansion of digital communications infrastructure, especially in terms of addressing ground level needs such as Right of Way (ROW), land allocation and site access.

The meeting laid special emphasis on the implementation of the Telecom (Right of Way) Rules, 2024 notified by the Department of Telecommunications (DOT) under the Telecom Act, 2023. These rules, effective from January 1, 2025, have established a uniform and transparent framework for deployment of telecom infrastructure, including provision for rational right-of-way charges and time-bound disposal of applications. Under these rules, a time limit of 67 days has been prescribed for general right of way applications and 7 days for special projects like BharatNet.

It was informed that 34 States/Union Territories have issued government orders or notifications directing local bodies and concerned departments to follow the Right of Way Rules, 2024 of the Department of Telecommunications. All 36 States/UTs have been made live on the Central RoW portal. The Special Assistance for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme 2026–27, under which a provision of Rs 4,000 crore has been made, was also highlighted as an important enabling instrument in strengthening the implementation of RoW reforms by States and their agencies, including State PSUs, Corporations and Urban Local Bodies.

The progress made under the Revised BharatNet Program (ABP) and 4G Saturation Project was also reviewed in the meeting. ABP aims to upgrade the existing BharatNet network, create additional network infrastructure for new Gram Panchayats (GPs), connect non-Gram Panchayat villages based on demand and provide 1.5 crore fiber internet connections. By August 2026, 55,780 km of optical fiber cable had been laid under ABP and 28,700 gram panchayats had been upgraded and connected.

The meeting also highlighted the government's efforts to expand mobile connectivity to remote and mobile-less areas through projects funded from the Digital India Fund (DBN). These initiatives were aimed at bridging the digital divide and providing 4G connectivity in villages where telecom service providers had not expanded their networks due to commercial reasons. By August 31, 2026, 25,367 mobile towers had been commissioned across the country covering 35,771 villages/locations. The indigenous 4G stack has been used in the 4G Saturation project implemented by BSNL.

The roundtable also discussed the Sanchar Saathi initiative and the importance of strengthening coordination between the Department of Telecommunications, State/UT Governments, law enforcement agencies, telecom service providers and other stakeholders to combat cyber crimes and financial frauds. Sanchar Saathi enables citizens to report suspected fraudulent communications, check mobile connections issued in their name, report unauthorized connections and block, report and trace lost or stolen mobile devices. Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) was also highlighted as an important mechanism for intelligence sharing and coordinated action against cyber fraud.

Another major initiative under discussion was the Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Initiative. It is an integrated service delivery model that aims to translate reliable broadband connectivity into meaningful, citizen-centric services and opportunities for rural communities. Under this initiative, through Samriddhi Kendras, services like tele-consultation and diagnostics, digital classes and skill development, e-governance, banking, soil testing, drone-based agriculture services, employment opportunities and e-commerce are made available under one roof. This model was being implemented on a pilot basis in Umri in Madhya Pradesh, Chorawala in Uttar Pradesh and Narkoduru in Andhra Pradesh. It has also been recognized as the global winner in the WSIS Prizes 2026 under Action Line C6 – Enabling Environments.

The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen coordination between the Centre, States/UTs and the telecom industry, accelerate the deployment of digital infrastructure, facilitate adoption of emerging technologies and expand citizen-centric digital services. During the discussions, the collective resolve to build a digitally empowered and connected India and pursue the vision of a developed India by the year 2047 was reiterated.

Team India, building a connected Bharat. 🇮🇳 Chaired a meeting of IT Ministers of States & UTs, IT Secretaries and senior officials alongside MoS Communications Dr. @PemmasaniOnX ji and CM Meghalaya @SangmaConrad ji, to take forward our shared vision of a digitally connected Bharat. From faster Right of Way clearances and Amended BharatNet to last-mile connectivity and stronger action against cyber fraud – discussed how stronger Centre-State synergy can help telecom reach every citizen of India!

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) October 8, 2026

This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.