Nagpur: Maharashtra has taken a historic leap towards rural modernization with the launch of India’s first Smart and Intelligent Village at Satnavari in Nagpur district. The initiative, spearheaded by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, aims to transform rural India through advanced technology, making villages self-reliant and future-ready.
The concept draws inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s call of ‘Back to Villages’ and Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj’s vision of ideal rural India outlined in his ‘Gramgeeta’. With smart irrigation, drone-based pesticide spraying, aquaculture, telemedicine, e-education, smart surveillance, and 18 other tech-driven services, Satnavari now stands as a model for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) at the grassroots.
First Step Towards 3,500 Smart Villages in Maharashtra
While inaugurating the project, CM Fadnavis announced that the state government plans to convert 10 villages in every taluka—around 3,500 villages in the first phase—into Smart and Intelligent Villages. He said this transformation will significantly improve the quality of life in rural areas and reshape Maharashtra ahead of India’s centenary of independence.
This milestone adds to Maharashtra’s long legacy of pioneering reforms such as Employment Guarantee Scheme, Right to Information, and Women’s Reservation, and now positions the state as a frontrunner in rural digital governance.
Technology Backbone: BharatNet, MahaNet and Indigenous Innovation
The project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BharatNet mission, which aims to connect villages across India with high-speed internet. Maharashtra has already implemented BharatNet’s first phase (2019) and launched its state-level counterpart, MahaNet, to strengthen rural connectivity.
The Satnavari project was implemented with the support of Voice of Indian Communication Technology Enterprises (VoICe), in collaboration with domestic tech companies. After assessing the geographical and infrastructural readiness, Satnavari—a village of 1,800 residents—was chosen as the pilot site, and the local administration ensured necessary facilities within two months.
How Satnavari Became Smart & Intelligent
• Digital Connectivity: The entire village is connected with Wi-Fi, FTTH (Fiber-to-the-Home), 4G/5G, and satellite-based broadband.
• Smart Agriculture: Soil sensors, drone technology, and AI dashboards help farmers reduce costs, increase yields, and plan crop cycles efficiently.
• Health Revolution: Villagers now benefit from telemedicine, health cards, and local diagnostic facilities, reducing dependency on city hospitals. Medical experts from Government Medical College provide consultations remotely.
• Education Transformation: AI-powered classrooms, digital Anganwadis, smart ECCE video lessons, and remote learning facilities are operational, ensuring access to global knowledge.
• Smart Governance & Infrastructure:
• Gram Panchayat functions are digitized for faster service delivery.
• Smart streetlights, AI-based water quality monitoring, and smart waste management have been introduced.
• Smart surveillance cameras ensure security.
• Fishery monitoring and drinking water management are integrated into digital dashboards.
A Model for the World
Satnavari now stands as a symbol of how technology can bridge the rural-urban divide. With full support from the Maharashtra government, local administration, and indigenous tech enterprises, the village has turned into a living model of rural transformation.
Officials believe that Satnavari will soon be recognized globally as an ideal Smart Village, showcasing how India’s villages can achieve prosperity through digital empowerment.
