Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced the $16.9 billion Amended BharatNet program, a publicly-funded initiative aimed at providing OFC fiber and broadband connectivity to all villages in India, including those in Andhra Pradesh. A memorandum of cooperation has been signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Department of Telecommunications, and the Andhra Pradesh government to expedite the program’s implementation in the state.
Scindia emphasized that the program aims to democratize technology by making it accessible to every citizen, empowering them to showcase their talents and ambitions globally. Minister of State Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar highlighted that the partnership will enhance last-mile connectivity, boost 4G coverage, and ensure rural communities have access to affordable digital services.
The memorandum sets a structured framework for swift implementation under a state-led model, combining financial backing with accountability measures. It paves the way for collaboration between DBN and the state government to accelerate the rollout of the Amended BharatNet Program, with the state government providing full support for expediting implementation, including facilitating Right of Way (RoW) and infrastructure access.
Funding for the project will primarily come from DBN, supplemented by contributions from the State Government as per agreed terms. The network established through the program will be leveraged by the state government to maximize socio-economic benefits, with the Centre approving Rs 2,432 crore in financial support for its implementation in Andhra Pradesh.
The initiative is expected to enable over five lakh rural home fiber connections, enhance digital governance, improve service delivery, and promote online education, digital payments, e-governance, and telemedicine in rural and remote areas of Andhra Pradesh.
