Agreement Signed for Amended BharatNet Programme in Andhra Pradesh

15 May 2026 CW Team

The programme will be implemented through Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited and covers 13,426 Gram Panchayats, including upgrade of 1,692 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology, coverage of 11,254 Phase II Gram Panchayats and inclusion of 480 newly created Gram Panchayats. In addition, connectivity will be provided on demand to 3,942 villages to reinforce last?mile access. The design intends to enhance network resilience and expand coverage across remote and rural areas.

The Government of India has approved financial support of Rs 24.32 billion (Rs 24.32 bn) for implementation in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than 0.5 million (0.5 mn) rural home fibre connections with financial assistance. Benefits are expected to include improved delivery of digital services such as e?Governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and citizen?centric services.

The signatories and senior officials emphasised that the Agreement will accelerate execution of the Programme and reflect joint commitment to a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The Union Cabinet approval of the Amended BharatNet Programme on four August 2023 provided the policy framework for upgrading and expanding the existing network to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand. The implementation plan focuses on resilience, scalability and inclusive access.

Digital Bharat Nidhi, which succeeded the Universal Service Obligation Fund, has the mandate to promote access and delivery of telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote and urban areas. The DBN supports schemes including BharatNet and the 4G Saturation Project as well as provision of mobile service in uncovered regions. The Agreement aims to translate policy intent into on?ground connectivity and service delivery for rural communities.

The Department of Telecommunications entity Digital Bharat Nidhi signed an agreement with the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited and Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Limited for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme. The signing at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi marked central and state collaboration to strengthen rural digital infrastructure. It marked a key milestone in advancing last?mile connectivity. The programme will be implemented through Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited and covers 13,426 Gram Panchayats, including upgrade of 1,692 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology, coverage of 11,254 Phase II Gram Panchayats and inclusion of 480 newly created Gram Panchayats. In addition, connectivity will be provided on demand to 3,942 villages to reinforce last?mile access. The design intends to enhance network resilience and expand coverage across remote and rural areas. The Government of India has approved financial support of Rs 24.32 billion (Rs 24.32 bn) for implementation in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than 0.5 million (0.5 mn) rural home fibre connections with financial assistance. Benefits are expected to include improved delivery of digital services such as e?Governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and citizen?centric services. The signatories and senior officials emphasised that the Agreement will accelerate execution of the Programme and reflect joint commitment to a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The Union Cabinet approval of the Amended BharatNet Programme on four August 2023 provided the policy framework for upgrading and expanding the existing network to all Gram Panchayats and villages on demand. The implementation plan focuses on resilience, scalability and inclusive access. Digital Bharat Nidhi, which succeeded the Universal Service Obligation Fund, has the mandate to promote access and delivery of telecommunication services in underserved rural, remote and urban areas. The DBN supports schemes including BharatNet and the 4G Saturation Project as well as provision of mobile service in uncovered regions. The Agreement aims to translate policy intent into on?ground connectivity and service delivery for rural communities.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

Real Estate

29 Jul 2026

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Equipment

29 Jul 2026

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..