**Executive Summary**
This document presents the Minister of Communications' response to an unstarred question regarding the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABNP) in Andhra Pradesh, answered on December 3rd, 2025. It outlines the status of Gram Panchayat (GP) broadband network upgradation, BharatNet Udyami (BNU) engagement, and new home fiber connections. Key aspects include the state-led model implementation, involvement of Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), and BSNL's role.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amended BharatNet Program (ABNP) in Andhra Pradesh:**
* To be implemented under a state-led model.
* Aims to connect GPs in ring topology and non-GP villages on demand basis.
* 1,692 GPs are under scope for upgradation.
* Funds will be disbursed by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to State SPV.
* **Gram Panchayat (GP) Upgradation (District-wise):**
* Alluri Sitharama Raju: 196 GPs
* Anakapalli: 272 GPs
* Annamayya: 242 GPs
* Chittoor: 586 GPs
* Tirupathi: 396 GPs
* **Project Implementation:**
* AP State Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to finalize Project Implementing Agency (PIA).
* PIA will handle implementation, operation, and maintenance of the BharatNet network.
* Under the BSNL-led model, 12 packages finalized and Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) have been onboarded, covering a total of 18 States and Union Territories, as detailed in Annexure-I.
* **BharatNet Udyami (BNU) Engagement:**
* Any local individual, entrepreneur, Self Help Group (SHG), Gram Panchayat (GP), firm, or ISP can become a BNU partner.
* **BNU Numbers (District-wise):**
* Alluri Sitharama Raju: 6
* Anakapalli: 17
* Annamayya: 1
* Chittoor: 20
* Tirupati: 10
* Visakhapatnam: 19
* Vizakhapatnam: 2
* Total BNUs engaged: 75
* **New Home Fiber Connections & Incentives (as of 30.09.2025):**
* State-wise details of new home fiber connections activated by BNUs and incentive amounts are available in Annexure-II.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Implementing Agency (SPV)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for initiating the process for the finalization of Project Implementation Agency (PIA) and operation and maintenance of the BharatNet network
* **Action Required:** Initiate and finalize process for selecting Project Implementation Agency (PIA)
**Stakeholder: Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs)**
* **Impact:** Involved in the ABP implementation including the operation and maintenance of the BharatNet network.
* **Action Required:** Fulfill duties as the implementation agency.
**Stakeholder: BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs)**
* **Impact:** Engagement in activating new home fiber connections. Eligible for incentives.
* **Action Required:** Continue activating new home fiber connections to receive incentives.
**Stakeholder: Citizens in Andhra Pradesh (GPs and non-GP villages)**
* **Impact:** Potential beneficiaries of improved broadband connectivity.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required.
Key Entities Referenced
Amended Bharat Net Programme (ABNP): A government program aimed at upgrading Gram Panchayat broadband networks and providing connectivity to non-GP villages.
Gram Panchayats (GPs): Village-level governing bodies that the ABNP aims to connect with broadband networks.
Andhra Pradesh: The state where the Amended BharatNet Program is being implemented under a state-led model.
BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs): Local individuals, entrepreneurs, or groups partnering with the program for home fiber connections.
Ministry of Communications: The primary government body overseeing the Department of Telecommunications.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 531
ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025
AMENDED BHARAT NET PROGRAMME (ABNP)
531. SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of Gram Panchayats (GPs) broadband networks selected for upgradation
under Amended Bharat Net Programme (ABNP), State and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the number of proposals received and approved for providing broadband connectivity to non-
GP villages, year, State and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh;
(c) the details of funds sanctioned and disbursed under ABNP by BSNL to State implementing
agencies, State and year-wise;
(d) the details of onboarding status of Project Implementation Agencies for operation and
maintenance of BharatNet networks, State-wise;
(e) the details regarding the criteria used to select BharatNet Udyamis (BNUs);
(f) the number of BNUs engaged under ABNP, year, State and district-wise for Andhra Pradesh;
and
(g) the number of new home fiber connections activated by BNUs and the amount of incentive
disbursed to BNUs for doing the same, State-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) is proposed to be implemented under state led model in
the state of Andhra Pradesh to connect the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in ring topology and to connect
non-GP villages on demand basis. The total of 1,692 of Gram Panchayats (GPs) broadband networks
are under scope of work for upgradation under Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). District-wise
details are as follows:
Total Number of Gram Panchayats for
S/N District Name
Upgradation under ABNP
1 Alluri Sitharama Raju 196
2 Anakapalli 272
3 Annamayya 242
4 Chittoor 586
5 Tirupathi 396
Total 1692
1(b) & (c) Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Andhra Pradesh State is to be implemented
by Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV) of Government of Andhra Pradesh as State Implementing Agency.
The State SPV has to initiate the process for finalization of Project Implementing Agency (PIA) for
ABP implementation that also includes the operation and maintenance of the BharatNet network and
providing broadband connectivity to non-GP villages on demand basis. Funds for implementation of
ABP will be disbursed by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to State SPV.
(d) Under the BSNL-led model, 12 packages have been finalized, and Project Implementation
Agencies (PIAs) have been on boarded, covering a total of 18 States and Union Territories. Details
are enclosed as Annexure-I.
(e) Any local individual, entrepreneur, Self Help Group (SHG), Gram Panchayat (GP), firm, or
ISP can become a BharatNet Udyami (BNU) partner.
(f) The details for Number of BNUs engaged under ABP District-wise for Andhra Pradesh is as
follows:
S/N Andhra Pradesh, District Total Number of BNU
1 ALLURI SITHARAMA RAJU 6
2 ANAKAPALLI 17
3 ANNAMAYYA 1
4 CHITTOOR 20
5 TIRUPATI 10
6 VISAKHAPATANAM 19
7 VISAKHAPATNAM 2
Grand Total 75
(g) As on 30.09.2025, the State-wise details of new home fiber connections activated by BNUs
and the amount of incentives disbursed to BNUs are enclosed as Annexure-II.
2Annexure-I
Package No States & UT Project Implementing
Agencies
1 Madhya Pradesh, DD &DNH M/s NCC Ltd
2 UP East M/s RVNL
3 Karnataka, Goa, Puducherry M/s Poly Cab
4 Uttarakhand M/s NCC ltd
5 UP West M/s RVNL
6 Bihar M/s Poly Cab
7 Himachal Pradesh M/s ITI
8 West Bengal, A&N M/s ITI
9 Punjab M/s HFCL
10 J&K and Ladakh M/s STL
11 NE-2 (Arunachal, Nagaland & Manipur) M/s ITI
12 Kerala M/s GR Infra projects Ltd
3Annexure-II
STATE NET Amount of Subsidy
CONNECTIONS incentive to BNU (in Rs
@ 4400/- per FTTH)
PAN INDIA 65593 288609200
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR 827 3638800
ISLANDS
ANDHRA PRADESH 744 3273600
ASSAM 226 994400
BIHAR 2660 11704000
CHHATTISGARH 532 2340800
GUJARAT 772 3396800
HARYANA 6180 27192000
HIMACHAL PRADESH 312 1372800
JAMMU AND KASHMIR 229 1007600
JHARKHAND 904 3977600
KARNATAKA 2517 11074800
KERALA 21172 93156800
MADHYA PRADESH 1086 4778400
MAHARASHTRA 1057 4650800
MEGHALAYA 1 4400
NAGALAND 6 26400
ODISHA 599 2635600
PUDUCHERRY 177 778800
PUNJAB 16057 70650800
RAJASTHAN 1132 4980800
TAMIL NADU 12 52800
TELANGANA 622 2736800
THE DADRA AND NAGAR 20 88000
HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU
TRIPURA 3 13200
UTTAR PRADESH EAST 1804 7937600
UTTAR PRADESH WEST 1706 7506400
UTTARAKHAND 858 3775200
WEST BENGAL 3378 14863200
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