The Department of Telecommunications, through Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN), has signed an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra, state-owned agencies and BSNL to roll out the Amended BharatNet Program across the state. The Centre has approved Rs 10,520 crore in financial support to strengthen rural broadband infrastructure and bring high-speed fibre connectivity to underserved areas of Maharashtra.
The agreement was signed at Sanchar Bhawan in New Delhi on 1 October 2026 between DBN under the Department of Telecommunications, the Government of Maharashtra, MahaNet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation Limited (MahaIT). The state-led implementation model marks a significant step in India’s push to digitise rural areas.
Key facts
- Total financial support approved: Rs 10,520 crore
- Gram panchayats to be covered: 28,237
- Villages eligible for on-demand connectivity: 15,799
- Phase I gram panchayats to be upgraded: 15,171 (from linear to ring topology)
- Phase II gram panchayats to be covered: 12,740
- Newly created gram panchayats included: 326
- Projected rural home fibre connections: over 9 lakh
- Agreement signed: 1 October 2026
- Implementation agency in Maharashtra: MahaNet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL)
What the Amended BharatNet Program does
The Amended BharatNet Program was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 August 2023 to upgrade and expand the existing BharatNet fibre network. The goal is to ensure reliable, future-ready broadband connectivity to all gram panchayats and villages across India on demand, rather than waiting for a pre-planned schedule.
BharatNet is India’s largest telecommunications infrastructure project. It aims to provide last-mile connectivity in rural and remote areas where private sector investment has been limited. The programme builds on the original BharatNet launched in 2015 and consolidates it with new coverage.
How Maharashtra’s implementation will work
MahaNet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL), a state entity, will lead the execution of the programme in Maharashtra. The implementation involves three components. First, 15,171 gram panchayats from Phase I of the original BharatNet will be upgraded from linear to ring topology. A ring topology creates redundant pathways for data, making the network more resilient to failures compared to linear layouts.
Second, 12,740 gram panchayats from Phase II will receive new fibre coverage. Third, 326 newly created gram panchayats will be included for the first time. Beyond gram panchayats, the programme will provide on-demand fibre connectivity to 15,799 villages, focusing on last-mile connections to homes and institutions.
Services that will reach villages
The expanded broadband access is expected to enable delivery of digital government services, online education, telemedicine, digital payment systems, and other citizen-facing services in rural and remote areas of Maharashtra. The programme specifically targets areas where broadband has been unavailable or unreliable, addressing the digital divide between urban and rural regions.
The projected outcome is over 9 lakh fibre connections to rural homes with financial backing from the Government of India. This will create digital infrastructure capable of supporting modern services that residents and small businesses depend on.
About Digital Bharat Nidhi
Digital Bharat Nidhi is the fund through which the Department of Telecommunications implements universal service obligations across India. It was formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) and was renamed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. DBN operates various schemes to provide telecom access in underserved rural, remote and urban areas, including BharatNet, 4G saturation projects, and mobile services in difficult terrain such as Left Wing Extremist areas, the Himalayas, border regions, islands and the North East.
What this means for you
If you live in a rural or semi-urban area of Maharashtra, this programme expands the possibility that your gram panchayat and village will receive high-speed fibre connectivity. Even if your area was not prioritised under earlier phases of BharatNet, you may request on-demand connectivity under this amended programme. Once deployed, fibre broadband will enable faster internet for work, education and access to government services at speeds comparable to urban areas.
Small businesses in villages can benefit from reliable connectivity to reach digital markets. Students will have better access to online learning resources. Health services can expand through telemedicine. Government services such as land records, social security payments and licenses can be accessed digitally without travelling to towns.
What happens next
With the agreement now signed, MDIL and BSNL will begin site surveys, detailed planning and procurement for the fibre rollout. The Rs 10,520 crore funding will be disbursed in phases as implementation progresses. The agreement is expected to accelerate the pace of programme execution in Maharashtra.