The Amended BharatNet Programme received a major push in Andhra Pradesh with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under the Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh for the expedited implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme in the state.
The Memorandum was signed on 22 February 2026 at the Chief Minister’s Camp Office in Tadepalle, Guntur District, in the presence of N Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region; and Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development.
The agreement was formally signed by Shyamal Misra, IAS, Administrator, Digital Bharat Nidhi, and Movva Tirumala Krishna Babu, IAS, Special Chief Secretary, Infrastructure and Investment Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme.
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Strengthening Rural Connectivity Under Amended BharatNet Programme
Emphasizing the importance and scale of the Amended BharatNet Programme, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia stated, “Amended BharatNet is a $16.9 billion, i.e., ₹139,000 crore, publicly funded program of the Government of India, which will take OFC fiber and broadband to every single village of this country. No other country in the world has the courage to do what Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has done.”
He further added, “What we are doing, in essence, is the democratization of technology to every single citizen in our country. What technology has done in our generation is to really provide the capability for individual prowess, talent, ambition, and aspiration to reach the world stage.”
Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar observed that the Memorandum under the Amended BharatNet Programme provides a structured and sustainable framework for swift implementation under the state-led model, combining financial support with accountability.
He noted that the partnership will strengthen last-mile connectivity, expand 4G saturation, and ensure that rural citizens benefit from affordable and dependable digital services.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described the signing of the Memorandum under the Amended BharatNet Programme as a milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s digital transformation.
He stated that seamless broadband connectivity will empower rural communities, enhance delivery of education and healthcare, and position the state at the forefront of next-generation digital infrastructure.
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Framework for Implementation in Andhra Pradesh
The Memorandum establishes a broad framework for collaboration between DBN and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to facilitate faster rollout of the Amended BharatNet Programme.
Under the agreement, the State Government will extend full support for expedited implementation, including facilitation of Right of Way (RoW), infrastructure access, and coordination support.
Funding for the Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh will be provided primarily by Digital Bharat Nidhi, along with contributions from the State Government as per mutually agreed arrangements.
The network created under the programme will be effectively utilized by the state government to maximize socio-economic impact.
The Union Cabinet had approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4 August 2023 with the objective of upgrading, consolidating, and expanding the existing BharatNet network to ensure robust and future-ready broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on an on-demand basis.
Coverage and Scope of Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh
BharatNet Phase I in Andhra Pradesh was implemented by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited under the CPSU model, covering 1,692 Gram Panchayats, all of which have been made service-ready.
BharatNet Phase II was implemented under the state-led model by Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited, covering 11,254 Gram Panchayats, all of which are service-ready.
Under the Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh, the project will be executed through a newly created Special Purpose Vehicle, Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited.
The total scope of the Amended BharatNet Programme in the state includes 13,426 Gram Panchayats. This comprises:
- Upgradation of 1,692 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology to enhance network resilience
- Coverage of 11,254 Phase II Gram Panchayats
- Inclusion of 480 newly created Gram Panchayats
- Additionally, 3,942 villages will be provided connectivity on a demand basis to strengthen last-mile connectivity under the Amended BharatNet Programme.
₹2,432 Crore Financial Support Approved
The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹2,432 crore for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh.
The initiative is expected to facilitate over five lakh rural home fiber connections with financial support from the Government of India.
The Amended BharatNet Programme is also expected to significantly enhance digital governance, improve delivery of citizen-centric services, and promote online education, digital payments, e-governance, and telemedicine across rural and remote areas of Andhra Pradesh.
The signing of the Memorandum reflects the shared commitment of the Union Government and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to accelerate digital inclusion, deepen last-mile connectivity, and build resilient telecommunications infrastructure through the Amended BharatNet Programme, thereby advancing the vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
