Amaravati, Feb 22 (TNT): The Andhra Pradesh Government on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Central Government for implementation of the Amended BharatNet Project (ABNP) to strengthen digital connectivity in rural areas.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.
Under the agreement, around five lakh rural households in the State will be provided fiber connections.
The Centre has agreed to release Rs 2,432 crore for implementation of the project in Andhra Pradesh.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Naidu said high-speed internet should be made available to every household in the State within one and a half years. For execution of the project, the State Government has established a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) — Andhra Pradesh BharatNet Infrastructure Limited (APBIL). The project will be implemented with coordinated funding support from Digital Bharat Nidhi and the State Government.
The MoU focuses on strengthening digital infrastructure in rural areas and ensuring broadband connectivity to Gram Panchayats. The State assured full cooperation in expediting approvals, providing infrastructure support and ensuring field-level coordination.
Officials said the project will be implemented across 13,426 Gram Panchayats including upgrading networks in 1,692 Phase-I Panchayats, completing connectivity in 11,254 Phase-II villages and extending services to 480 newly formed Gram Panchayats. Demand-based last-mile connectivity will also be enhanced in 3,942 villages.
The government stated that enhanced digital connectivity will improve digital governance, online education, telemedicine, digital payments and e-governance services.
The Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia are spearheading India’s digital revolution.
He noted that the Prime Minister is giving high priority to Artificial Intelligence and quantum technologies and stressed the need to increase bandwidth to bring global knowledge to rural areas.
Naidu said over 900 government services are being delivered through WhatsApp Governance.
He added that blockchain technology is being used to secure land records and that technology is being deployed in the printing and protection of Pattadar passbooks. The Sanjeevani project will integrate technology into public healthcare, while AI-based applications will be introduced in education and healthcare sectors.
Stating that AI would generate employment opportunities by enhancing youth skills, he said the government is promoting the concept of “One Family – One AI Expert.”
In collaboration with an IBM–TCS–L&T consortium, the State plans to establish the country’s first quantum computer in Amaravati within the next two to three years.
FiberNet MD Geethanjali Sharma and senior BSNL officials were present on the occasion.
TNT KM
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