Digital Bharat Nidhi signs an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra, BSNL, MahaIT, and MDIL to expedite the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program. The program aims to provide robust broadband connectivity to over 28,000 Gram Panchayats in Maharashtra.
On October 1st, 2026, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), signed an Agreement for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Maharashtra. The agreement was made with several key participants: Government of Maharashtra, MahaNet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation Limited (MahaIT).
The Agreement aims to expedite the implementation of the program and strengthen rural digital infrastructure in Maharashtra. The Union Cabinet had approved this amended program on August 4th, 2023, with the objective of upgrading, consolidating, and expanding the existing BharatNet network.
Under the Amended BharatNet Program in Maharashtra, the project will be implemented through MDIL. The Program will have a total scope of 28,237 Gram Panchayats, which includes upgradation of 15,171 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to ring topology, coverage of 12,740 Phase II Gram Panchayats, and inclusion of 326 newly created Gram Panchayats. Additionally, 15,799 villages will be provided connectivity on a demand basis.
The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹10,520 crore for the implementation of the Program in Maharashtra. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than nine lakh rural home fibre connections 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.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
