New Delhi, 23 February (HS): The Centre has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government to strengthen and upgrade rural telecom infrastructure in the state, approving Rs 2,432 crore for the initiative.

The Ministry of Communications said the agreement was signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi, a central government entity, and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to expedite implementation of the revised BharatNet programme. The signing ceremony was held at the Chief Minister’s Office in Tadepalli (Guntur) on Sunday in the presence of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Minister of State for Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar. The agreement was signed by Digital Bharat Nidhi Administrator Shyamal Mishra and Andhra Pradesh Special Chief Secretary (Infrastructure and Investments) Mova Tirumala Krishna Babu.

Union Minister Scindia said the revised BharatNet programme, with a public outlay of Rs 1.39 lakh crore, aims to provide fibre and broadband connectivity to every village in the country. He described it as an effort towards democratisation of technology. Minister of State Dr Chandra Sekhar said the agreement would strengthen last-mile connectivity in rural areas and ensure affordable and reliable digital services.

Chief Minister Naidu termed the agreement a milestone in the state’s digital transformation journey and said it would improve access to education, healthcare and e-governance services.

Under the revised BharatNet programme, 13,426 gram panchayats in Andhra Pradesh will be connected. This includes upgrading 1,692 gram panchayats under Phase I, covering 11,254 gram panchayats under Phase II and connecting 480 new gram panchayats. Additionally, 3,942 villages will be provided connectivity on demand. The initiative is expected to provide fibre connections to over five lakh rural households.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar