Hyderabad: A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be established to develop a robust fiber network across Telangana, aiming to connect every gram panchayat through a ring architecture in the near future. This initiative is part of the state's efforts to enhance digital connectivity in rural areas.
First Phase of Connectivity Restoration
In the initial phase, digital connectivity restoration will be undertaken for 3,089 villages across the combined districts of Nizamabad, Ranga Reddy, and Khammam. These villages currently suffer from damaged network infrastructure. Under the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP), these villages will be brought on par with the rest of the state, utilizing modern fiber infrastructure designed to meet future requirements.
High-Level Discussions
During a video conference with Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu highlighted the challenges in developing the fiber network and the immediate need for central assistance. CM Revanth elaborated on Telangana’s vision of providing high-speed internet connectivity to every village and household, and the assurances given by the Union government to achieve this objective under the T-Fiber project.
According to officials from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the discussions focused on expediting the finalization of the implementation agreement, accelerating the release of pending funds, and implementing the T-Fiber project under the ABP in the state. The meeting also reviewed the introduction of a clear policy framework for transferring ring network assets from the mandal level to the gram panchayat level, as well as the ‘Digital Bharat Nidhi’ fund. The Union minister assured full cooperation from the central government.
Establishment of SPV and Agreement
In the meeting, the state government approved the establishment of an SPV to create a robust network and signed an agreement with the Centre to lay the foundation for a truly ‘Digital Telangana’. Officials stated that the state is moving towards a unified digital backbone, ensuring that even if a disruption occurs along one route, services will continue uninterrupted via an alternative path. Consequently, rural Telangana will gain access to continuous, high-speed broadband connectivity in the future.
Senior officials including Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao, Special Secretary to the CM B Ajit Reddy, and Joint Secretary to the IT Department D Anudeep participated in the video conference.
