The Uttar Pradesh government has launched Project GANGA (Govt Assisted Network for Growth and Advancement), an ambitious programme aimed at expanding broadband connectivity to nearly 20 lakh households across the state over the next two to three years. The initiative is also expected to generate more than one lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities while strengthening digital infrastructure in rural and semi-urban areas.

According to a TOI report, the project will be implemented through a collaboration between the State Transformation Commission and One OTT Entertainment Limited, a subsidiary of the Hinduja Group. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the initiative was signed in Lucknow in the presence of Uttar Pradesh Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna.

Officials said the initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide by ensuring reliable high-speed internet access in villages and smaller towns across the state. As part of the programme, around 8,000 to 10,000 local entrepreneurs will be developed at the Nyaya Panchayat level as Digital Service Providers (DSPs). These entrepreneurs will deliver broadband connectivity and digital services to households in rural areas, effectively creating a grassroots network for digital infrastructure.

The government has also set a target to ensure that around 50 percent of these digital entrepreneurs are women, promoting women-led entrepreneurship in rural communities. Selected DSPs will receive specialised training, financial assistance, infrastructure support and access to modern technology to help them establish sustainable digital service networks.

Speaking about the initiative, Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna said the expansion of broadband connectivity would open new opportunities in areas such as online business, digital services, education and healthcare. He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is working to ensure that broadband connectivity reaches every village in Uttar Pradesh.

Khanna also highlighted the state’s efforts to support young digital entrepreneurs through financial assistance schemes. He noted that a programme launched in January 2024 provides interest-free and collateral-free loans of up to Rs.5 lakh to youth, with more than one lakh beneficiaries already availing the scheme.

Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Executive Officer of the State Transformation Commission, said digital infrastructure is becoming as important as physical expressways for economic growth. He explained that improved connectivity will help expand sectors such as telemedicine, online education, e-commerce, digital skilling and content creation, particularly in remote regions.

Singh added that districts such as Shravasti, Bahraich and Balrampur, which currently face connectivity challenges, are expected to benefit significantly from the project as digital services become more accessible.

Industry representatives also emphasised the initiative’s broader vision. Vinsley Fernandes, Director of Hinduja Global Solutions, said the concept of the project draws inspiration from the river Ganga as a lifeline connecting millions of people, adding that youth and women empowerment form the core pillars of the programme. Meanwhile, Satya Prakash Singh, Chief Business Officer of One OTT Entertainment Limited, said the project aims to extend digital connectivity to remote and underserved regions while creating new livelihood opportunities for rural youth.

With improved broadband infrastructure, the Uttar Pradesh government expects Project GANGA to play a significant role in strengthening digital inclusion and accelerating technology-driven development across the state’s rural landscape.