+
Govt cancels BBNL tender of Rs 19,000 cr for connecting villages
Technology

Govt cancels BBNL tender of Rs 19,000 cr for connecting villages

Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) has cancelled a Rs 19,000 crore tender for connecting all the villages across 16 states with optical fibre high-speed broadband network services.

Initially, the project was approved in June to roll out an optical fibre network under BharatNet across 16 states in a public-private partnership (PPP) model with a total expense of Rs 29,430 crore.

The government had approved a viability gap fund of Rs 19,041 crore to connect 3.61 lakh villages in 16 states.

The project has been divided into nine packages, and the tenders were floated for each package separately.

An official told the media that some firms participated in the bidding process, the bids were evaluated, but the participants failed to qualify the bidding.

However, the tender will be floated again after taking feedback from the industry. The government is committed to connecting villages with a broadband connection at the earliest.

The government opted for a PPP model after state-owned firms faced challenges in expediting the projects and missed several deadlines.

The BharatNet project received approval in 2011 as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) to connect all 2.5 lakh panchayats with the optical fibre network by 2013. But now, the project has been extended to 2025.

According to data, more than 1.69 lakh village panchayats have been made service-ready for broadband network services under BharatNet by 31 December 2021.

Image Source

Also read: Jio partners with SES to offer satellite internet services in India

Bharat Broadband Nigam Limited (BBNL) has cancelled a Rs 19,000 crore tender for connecting all the villages across 16 states with optical fibre high-speed broadband network services. Initially, the project was approved in June to roll out an optical fibre network under BharatNet across 16 states in a public-private partnership (PPP) model with a total expense of Rs 29,430 crore. The government had approved a viability gap fund of Rs 19,041 crore to connect 3.61 lakh villages in 16 states. The project has been divided into nine packages, and the tenders were floated for each package separately. An official told the media that some firms participated in the bidding process, the bids were evaluated, but the participants failed to qualify the bidding. However, the tender will be floated again after taking feedback from the industry. The government is committed to connecting villages with a broadband connection at the earliest. The government opted for a PPP model after state-owned firms faced challenges in expediting the projects and missed several deadlines. The BharatNet project received approval in 2011 as the National Optical Fibre Network (NOFN) to connect all 2.5 lakh panchayats with the optical fibre network by 2013. But now, the project has been extended to 2025. According to data, more than 1.69 lakh village panchayats have been made service-ready for broadband network services under BharatNet by 31 December 2021. Image Source Also read: Jio partners with SES to offer satellite internet services in India

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Emiza Expands Bhiwandi Fulfilment Capacity by 2.32 Lakh Sq Ft

Emiza, a leading third-party logistics (3PL) provider, has expanded its Mumbai operations with the launch of two new fulfilment facilities in Bhiwandi, adding a combined capacity of 2.32 lakh sq ft to its network.The new facilities, spread across 75,000 sq ft and 1,57,000 sq ft, mark Emiza’s fifth and sixth warehouses in the Mumbai region. The expansion strengthens the company’s fulfilment infrastructure in Western India amid the rapid growth of India’s digital commerce ecosystem.With increasing online consumption, wider product categories and rising customer expectations for faster deli..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Ingersoll Rand Showcases Air Solutions for Semiconductor Sector

Ingersoll Rand will showcase its advanced compressed air solutions for India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem at SEMICON India 2026, scheduled from September 17–19 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.The company will display its portfolio of oil-free compressors, centrifugal compression technologies and advanced air treatment systems at Stall No. 1156, Hall No. 1. The solutions are designed to address the stringent air quality, reliability and efficiency requirements of semiconductor manufacturing applications.With India accelerating investments across semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, equipm..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

RECPDCL Transfers Musalgaon Transmission SPV to MSETCL

REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of REC Limited, has handed over Musalgaon Power Transmission Limited, a project-specific Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), to Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL).MSETCL emerged as the successful bidder through the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process conducted by RECPDCL, the Bid Process Coordinator, for developing Maharashtra’s intra-state transmission project on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis.The SPV was handed over by Shri Ratnesh Kumar, General Manag..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code