The Government of India, through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), today signed a quadripartite agreement with the Government of Gujarat, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and Gujarat Fibre Grid Network Limited (GFGNL) under the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP). The agreement enables GFGNL to take over all the works, activities, and responsibilities, including all related and incidental matters of BharatNet in Gujarat, and also undertake the amended BharatNet Program schemes.

This agreement marks a major milestone in Gujarat’s ongoing strides in rural digital infrastructure and comes after the state received in-principle approval of ₹5631 crore for capital expenditure and 10 years of operations and maintenance. With this milestone, Gujarat becomes the first among eight states in the country to undertake BharatNet under the state-led model and to secure approval for the Amended BharatNet Program.

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Targeting Optimum Uptime 

The successful rollout of the scheme will enable seamless and uniform digital connectivity across all 14,654 Gram Panchayats and all non-GP villages in Gujarat on a demand basis. Using state-of-the-art infrastructure, the scheme aims to establish over 98% service uptime. The program will provide rural communities with high-speed internet access and reliable digital platforms, enabling a smooth and seamless transition in internet usage beyond connectivity and streaming, enhancing education, healthcare, livelihoods, and overall quality of life.

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Enhancing Digital Governance 

This initiative will empower government departments to directly engage with citizens through digital governance and value-added services tailored for farmers, students, women, and consumers, driving inclusive growth and improving the livelihood index of previously underserved populations. It will further reinforce the distinctiveness of the Gujarat government, establishing a futuristic, telecom-grade network to support integrated governance, digital commerce, and community empowerment across remote regions.