Uttar Pradesh Launches ‘Ganga’ Project to Bring High-Speed Internet to Villages

The Uttar Pradesh government has launched the ambitious ‘Ganga’ project to expand high-speed broadband connectivity across rural areas and connect villages with the digital economy. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the project, formally known as the Government Assisted Network for Gigabit Access, with the objective of taking digital services to the grassroots level.

 

The initiative is aimed at ensuring that high-speed broadband connectivity, digital education, telemedicine, e-governance and smart agriculture services reach villages across the state. The project is expected to give a major push to digital inclusion and help rural citizens access services that are increasingly becoming essential in modern life.

 

Under the first phase, the project will begin in 21 districts of Uttar Pradesh. Around 20 lakh families will be connected with the digital economy through this phase. The government has also set a target to expand the network to 57,000 gram panchayats across the state.

 

The project is expected to create major employment opportunities in rural areas. Around 8,000 to 10,000 digital service providers are proposed to be developed under the scheme, while more than one lakh employment opportunities are likely to be generated.

 

Digital Services to Reach Every Village

 

The Ganga project will support the delivery of high-speed internet-based services in rural areas. These include digital education for students, online medical consultation through telemedicine, e-commerce support for local businesses, and smart agriculture solutions for farmers.

 

The Chief Minister said broadband connectivity has become as important as electricity, water and roads in the present time. He added that internet connectivity is not only necessary for economic progress, but is also equally important for social development.

 

The project has been described as an important step in the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Digital India. At present, the project is being launched in selected districts, but it will gradually be expanded to cover all 57,000 gram panchayats of Uttar Pradesh and around 59,000 Nyaya Panchayats.

 

Youth to Get Self-Employment Opportunities

 

The project will not remain limited to providing internet services. It will also create a digital support system at the village level. Young people will be trained and encouraged to work as digital service providers, enabling them to start their own ventures and earn livelihood opportunities within their local areas.

 

The Chief Minister said the scheme would help selected youth gain direct benefits and establish their own digital service businesses. This will not only improve access to online services in villages but will also open new avenues of self-employment and entrepreneurship.

 

Partnership With Hinduja Group

 

The Chief Minister also praised the Hinduja Group for its role as a knowledge partner in the project. The group’s supporting company, Bannoti Entertainment Limited, will train young people at the gram panchayat level as digital service providers.

 

Through this model, the government aims to create a strong rural digital network that can support both public services and private enterprise.