Tamil Nadu has taken a major step toward digital empowerment. State IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan announced a high-speed internet plan offering 100 Mbps connectivity to households at just Rs 200 per month. This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and provide equitable access to knowledge and digital services, particularly for rural students.
Massive Fibre Network Nears Completion
The Tamil Nadu FibreNet Corporation project, which was delayed in earlier years, has now achieved 93 percent completion. With 11,639 gram panchayats already connected, the project aims to reach 12,525 villages using 57,500 km of optical fibre, offering 1 Gbps bandwidth. The network is expected to be fully operational by the end of the year.
Franchisee Model to Ensure Last-Mile Connectivity
To extend connectivity to individual homes, the government plans to introduce a franchisee model similar to cable TV services. Already, 4,700 panchayats have applied for last-mile internet connections, indicating strong community interest and demand.
e-Seva Centres Set to Offer Bus Ticketing and More
A major breakthrough in public service delivery is coming soon. In collaboration with the Transport Department, bus ticketing will go online via e-Seva centres within a week. These centres will act as a digital lifeline for citizens without home internet, ensuring everyone can access essential travel services.
Expanding the Digital Service Footprint
The number of e-Seva centres has grown from 7,000 to 28,000, and plans are underway to ensure no rural citizen has to travel more than 2-3 km to reach one. Urban residents will have centres within 1 km.
Additional Services to Boost Accessibility
The government also announced:
- 50 new Aadhaar enrolment centres
- Integration of e-Seva services with WhatsApp
- Launch of a secure e-KYC website and mobile app
- Upgraded Tamil e-Library as a multimedia platform
- Language tech training for Tamil students
- A new scheme to promote innovation in product design
A Vision of Inclusive Digital Growth
Tamil Nadu’s digital transformation is shaping up to be a model of inclusive growth, combining connectivity, governance, education, and innovation. These initiatives promise to uplift rural and urban citizens alike by making digital services universally accessible.
