Ministry of Communications
Addendum to the Signed Agreement between DBN (Digital Bharat Nidhi) - Department of Telecommunications, Government of Gujarat, GFGNL and BSNL to strengthen broadband infrastructure across the state
₹5,629 Crore Financial Support Approved for Rollout of Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat
Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat to Cover 14,287 Gram Panchayats and Provide On-Demand Connectivity to 3,895 Villages
Partnership to Strengthen and Upgrade Rural Telecom Infrastructure across Gujarat
Partnership to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre connections with financial support from the Government of India
प्रविष्टि तिथि:
10 JUL 2026 8:16PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening digital infrastructure and accelerating broadband connectivity across rural Gujarat, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under Department of Telecommunications (DoT) signed an Addendum to the signed Agreement for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) in the State under the State-led model today at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Addendum was signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), DoT; Government of Gujarat; Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Programme in the State of Gujarat.
The agreement was signed by Smt. P. Bharathi, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of Gujarat and Shri Dinesh Kumar Garg, DDG (ABP Implementation-I), Department of Telecommunications, in the august presence of Shri Shyamal Misra, Administrator, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). Senior officers of DoT, DBN and BSNL were present in the signing ceremony.
The signing of the Addendum marks an important milestone towards strengthening rural digital broadband connectivity, enhancing last-mile connectivity and promoting inclusive digital growth.
The Union Cabinet had approved the Amended BharatNet Programme on 4th 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 demand basis.
Under the Amended BharatNet Programme in Gujarat, the project will be implemented through Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL). The Programme will have a total scope of 14,287 Gram Panchayats, which includes upgradation of 14,264 Phase I & Phase-II Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology to enhance network resilience and inclusion of 23 newly created Gram Panchayats. In addition, 3,895 villages will be provided connectivity on a demand basis to strengthen last-mile connectivity.
The Government of India has already approved financial support of ₹5,629 crore for implementation of the Programme in Gujarat. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than five lakh rural home fibre connections with financial support from the Government of India and significantly enhance delivery of digital services including e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and citizen-centric services across rural and remote areas of the State.
About Digital Bharat Nidhi
Digital Bharat Nidhi (erstwhile USOF) was established under the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Act, 2003 w.e.f. 01.04.2002. As per ‘The Telecommunications Act, 2023’ the Universal Service Obligation Fund, has become the Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN). The DBN has mandate to support universal service through promoting access and delivery of telecommunication service in underserved rural, remote and urban areas. It is an attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications.
In order to achieve objectives of DBN, it covers various schemes and projects including BharatNet, 4G Saturation Project, Provision of Mobile Service in uncovered areas of Aspirational Districts, Mobile Services in Left Wing Extremist Areas, Mobile Services in Himalayan and Border areas, Mobile Services in Islands and Mobile Services in North Eastern Areas.
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