Agreement Signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) - Department of Telecommunications; Government of Chhattisgarh; CSBIL; BSNL & CHiPS for Implementation of Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Communications on 18th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
Digital Bharat Nidhi, the Government of Chhattisgarh, and associated agencies have signed an agreement to implement the Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh under a State-led model. Supported by a ₹3,942 crore federal allocation, the project aims to provide broadband connectivity to 11,682 Gram Panchayats and on-demand access to 8,328 villages. This initiative, following the Union Cabinet's August 4, 2023 approval, focuses on upgrading rural telecom infrastructure to facilitate over three lakh home fiber connections and enhanced digital services.
Key Points / Main Content
Program Scope and Reach
Comprehensive Coverage: The program covers 11,682 Gram Panchayats across the state of Chhattisgarh.
Village Connectivity: On-demand broadband connectivity will be extended to 8,328 villages to strengthen last-mile access.
New Inclusions: The initiative incorporates 1,670 newly created Gram Panchayats into the national digital grid.
Infrastructure Upgrades
Network Resilience: 4,048 Phase I Gram Panchayats will be upgraded from a linear topology to a ring topology to ensure a more robust and reliable network.
Phase II Expansion: The program includes the coverage of 5,964 Phase II Gram Panchayats.
Technical Goals: The objective is to establish future-ready broadband infrastructure that supports high-speed data requirements.
Financial and Operational Framework
Funding: The Government of India has approved a financial outlay of ₹3,942 crore for the program's execution in Chhattisgarh.
Implementation Agency: Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL) is the primary entity responsible for project implementation.
Collaborative Model: The agreement involves Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), BSNL, and Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS).
Impact Analysis
Rural Residents of ChhattisgarhImpact
Residents will gain access to more than three lakh rural home fiber connections, enabling essential digital services such as e-Governance, online education, telemedicine, and digital payments.
Action Required
Residents in eligible areas may apply for fiber-to-the-home connections and utilize "on-demand" connectivity provisions for their villages.
Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL)Impact
As the implementing agency, CSBIL is responsible for the technical execution and management of the State-led model for the Amended BharatNet Program.
Action Required
CSBIL must manage the transition of Phase I sites to ring topology and coordinate the expansion of the network to the 1,670 newly created Gram Panchayats.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) / Department of TelecommunicationsImpact
The DBN fulfills its mandate under ‘The Telecommunications Act, 2023’ to promote universal service access in underserved rural and remote areas.
Action Required
The DBN must provide the approved ₹3,942 crore financial support and provide oversight to ensure the program accelerates the vision of a digitally empowered society.
Key Entities Referenced
Amended BharatNet Program (ABP): A national initiative to upgrade and expand broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and villages on a demand basis.
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN): An attached office of the Department of Telecommunications (formerly USOF) mandated to fund and support universal telecommunication services in underserved areas.
The Telecommunications Act, 2023: The primary legislation under which the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) was transitioned into the Digital Bharat Nidhi.
Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL): The state-level entity responsible for the implementation and execution of the Amended BharatNet Program under the State-led model.
Chhattisgarh: The target state for the ₹3,942 crore infrastructure rollout, covering 11,682 Gram Panchayats and 8,328 villages.
Ministry of Communications
Agreement Signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi
(DBN) - Department of Telecommunications;
Government of Chhattisgarh; CSBIL; BSNL &
CHiPS for Implementation of Amended
BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh
₹3,942 Crore Financial Support Approved for Rollout of
Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh
Amended BharatNet Program in Chhattisgarh to Cover
11,682 Gram Panchayats and Provide On-Demand
Connectivity to 8,328 Villages
Partnership to Strengthen and Upgrade Rural Telecom
Infrastructure
across Chhattisgarh
प्रव तथ: 18 AUG 2026 4:51PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant step towards strengthening digital infrastructure and accelerating broadband connectivity
across rural Chhattisgarh, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), under Department of Telecommunications (DoT),
signed an Agreement for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in the State under the
State-led model today at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi.
The Agreement was signed between Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), DoT; Government of Chhattisgarh;
Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL); Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)
and Chhattisgarh Infotech Promotion Society (CHiPS) for implementation of the Amended BharatNet
Program in the State of Chhattisgarh.The Agreement signing ceremony was held in the august presence of Shri Shyamal Misra, Administrator,
Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN); Shri Ankit Anand, Secretary, Department of Electronics & IT, Government
of Chhattisgarh; Shri Mayank Agrawal, MD, Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited
(CSBIL); Shri Papa Sudhakara Rao, Director (Enterprise Business - EB), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
(BSNL); Shri Dinesh Kumar Garg, DDG (ABP Implementation-I), Department of Telecommunications,
along with senior officers of DoT, DBN and BSNL.
The signing of the Agreement marks an important milestone towards expeditious implementation of the
Programme and reflects the shared commitment of the Central Government and the Government of
Chhattisgarh towards strengthening rural digital infrastructure, enhancing last-mile connectivity and
promoting inclusive digital growth.
The Union Cabinet had approved the Amended BharatNet Program 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 Program in Chhattisgarh, the project will be implemented through
Chhattisgarh State BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (CSBIL). The Programme will have a total scope of
11,682 Gram Panchayats, which includes upgradation of 4,048 Phase I Gram Panchayats from linear to
ring topology to enhance network resilience, coverage of 5,964 Phase II Gram Panchayats, and inclusion
of 1,670 newly created Gram Panchayats. In addition, 8,328 villages will be provided connectivity on a
demand basis to strengthen last-mile connectivity.
The Government of India has approved financial support of ₹3,942 crore for implementation of the
Programme in Chhattisgarh. The initiative is expected to facilitate more than three 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.
The Agreement signed today is expected to accelerate execution of the Programme in Chhattisgarh and
further advance the vision of a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.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, Himalayan and Border areas, Islands and North Eastern Areas.
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