14-Samdani-CM-FIber-Net-Revival

Time of India

18 hours ago

Vijayawada: Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to take swift action to restore and revitalize the AP Fiber Net project. He charged that the previous government had completely derailed the AP Fiber Net project, a visionary initiative launched between 2014 and 2019.
Reviewing the progress of AP Fibernet activities here on Monday, the chief minister asked the officials to assess the challenges, financial constraints, necessary corrective steps, and new policy directions. He said that the system, designed to benefit the public, students, and government departments, was exploited for political purposes by the previous govt. He pointed out that while there were 8.70 lakh connections before 2019, was dropped to 4.50 lakh during the YSRCP regime.
"We managed the organization effectively with just 130 employees and provided over 8 lakh connections. But the YSRCP government created unauthorized posts to accommodate its party workers, expanding the workforce from 130 to 1,350 and misusing public funds. This was a new form of corruption where party affiliates were placed in government roles and used for political work. The fiber network was no exception. Those responsible must be held accountable.
by Taboola
by Taboola
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A thorough investigation should be conducted into those appointments, and full transparency must be ensured," directed chief minister.
He, however, said that steps must be taken to rectify past mistakes and ensure a better future. He instructed that the current 4,53,525 connections be increased to at least 8–10 lakh. The chief minister approved the integration of AP Fiber Net with the
BharatNet
(Amended BharatNet Programme – ABP).
Under this scheme, the Centre will allocate Rs. 1,900 crore to AP Fiber Net from 2025 to 2035. He also approved the transition of fiber networks in 1692 gram panchayats across Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts from linear to ring architecture. Additionally, 480 new gram panchayats will be connected using the ring model. The Centre will provide Rs. 430 crore for this phase.
GFX
*A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), jointly managed by the Central and State Governments, to oversee these projects should be created: CM
*The selection process for set-top box suppliers be completed immediately and that a revenue-sharing model be developed with Local Cable Operators (LCOs) using new set-top boxes: CM
*Reintroduce services like virtual classrooms
*Andhra Pradesh currently leads the nation in village panchayat connectivity.
*Fiber net services have been extended to 12,946 panchayats so far.
*The government aims to expand the network to a total of two lakh km.
*Andhra Pradesh leads all Indian states in fiber optic network coverage with 78355km, followed by Maharashtra (50,481 km), Tamil Nadu (49,616 km), Gujarat (35,246 km), and Telangana (29,143 km).