**Summary:**
On July 30, 2025, the Ministry of Communications addressed Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1700 regarding proposals from the Government of Telangana concerning the Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Limited (TFiber). The Government of Telangana submitted proposals that included handing over the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) Phase-I executed by BBNL in nine districts, approving the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for converting the NOFN Phase-I network to BharatNet Phase-III architecture, extending the BharatNet Udyami Incentive Scheme to TFiber, and providing a long-term interest-free loan of Rs. 1,779 crore to TFiber. In response, the Ministry of Communications communicated the criteria and modalities for the implementation of the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) to the State Government, and the matter remains under discussion. The Ministry clarified that there is no provision for loans under the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, provided the response.
Key Entities Referenced
Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Limited: A state-owned entity of Telangana, abbreviated as TFiber, involved in fiber optic network infrastructure development.
Telangana: A state in India that submitted proposals related to the Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Limited (TFiber) to the Government of India.
SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY: A member of Lok Sabha who asked a question regarding proposals for Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Limited.
National Optical Fiber Network: An initiative by the Government of India, abbreviated as NOFN, to provide broadband connectivity to rural areas.
BBNL: Likely refers to Bharat Broadband Network Limited, the implementing agency for the National Optical Fiber Network (NOFN) project.
BharatNet: A project by the Government of India to provide high-speed digital connectivity to all Gram Panchayats in the country.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development who answered the question regarding proposals for Telangana Fiber Grid Corporation Limited.
Amended BharatNet Program: A revised version of the BharatNet Program, abbreviated as ABP, with updated criteria and modalities.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1700
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
PROPOSALS FOR TELANGANA FIBER GRID CORPORATION LIMITED
1700. SHRI CHAMALA KIRAN KUMAR REDDY:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government of Telangana has sent proposals for Telangana Fiber Grid
Corporation Limited (T-Fiber) and works like – Handing over of National Optical Fiber Network
(NOFN) Phase-I executed by BBNL in nine districts and also Approval of DPR submitted to
undertake conversion of NOFN Phase-I network to BharatNet Phase-Ill architecture and also
Extension of BharatNet Udyami Incentive Scheme to T-Fiber and also Extending long term interest
free loan of Rs. 1779 crore to T-Fiber/Government of Telangana; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a)&(b) Government of Telangana has submitted a proposal for the implementation in the
state, along with a request for a loan amounting to Rs. 1,779 crore from the Government of India to
T-Fiber/ Government of Telangana.
In response, the criteria and modalities for the implementation of Amended BharatNet
Program (ABP) have been communicated to the State Government and the matter is under discussion.
Further, there is no provision for loan under Amended BharatNet Program (ABP).
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