Latest news with #APFiberNet
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Govt to revitalise AP FiberNet
Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday announced a comprehensive plan to restore and revitalise the AP FiberNet project, a flagship initiative that he claimed was 'completely derailed' by the previous government. During a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister approved the crucial integration of AP FiberNet with the national BharatNet programme, specifically under the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP). The FibreNet project was designed to provide affordable triple play services, which include internet, telephone and IPTV. Naidu expressed strong dismay at the project's state, which he described as a 'visionary initiative launched between 2014 and 2019'. He directed officials to immediately assess the challenges, financial constraints, and implement necessary corrective steps and new policy directions. "The system, designed to benefit the public, students, and government departments, was instead exploited for political purposes by the former administration - undermining the very purpose of the initiative," Naidu said. He highlighted a stark decline in connections, noting that while there were 8.70 lakh connections in 2019, the number had plummeted to 4.50 lakh under the YSRCP government. The Chief Minister also criticised the previous administration's staffing policies. "We managed the organisation 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, misusing public funds," he stated. Naidu emphasised the need to reintroduce services like virtual classrooms and called for strengthening the fiber network in rural and underserved areas. Pending issues with local cable operators (LCOs) are to be resolved promptly. An EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor will be appointed to manage both the AP FiberNet and BharatNet networks. BSNL will serve as the project management agency, in line with ABP guidelines, he added. Officials were instructed to prepare an action plan to fully utilise the network's capabilities, to be presented at the next Cabinet meeting. Naidu said that from June 2024 to June 2025, Rs. 192.5 crore has been allocated under capital expenditure and Rs. 66.76 crore under operational expenditure. With FiberNet's integration with BharatNet's ABP, the central government is expected to allocate Rs. 1,900 crore to AP FiberNet from 2025 to 2035. Andhra Pradesh currently leads the nation in village panchayat connectivity, with fibernet services extended to 12,946 panchayats so far. Furthermore, 104 government offices have active fibernet connections. Residential connections are available through five different service packages, and over 21,000 institutions benefit from high-speed broadband. Connectivity has also been extended to 175 telecom towers. The project is currently managed by 442 employees and officers. To date, 78,355 kilometres of fiber optic cable has been laid across the state, with a government target to expand this to a total of 2 lakh kilometres.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
14-Samdani-CM-FIber-Net-Revival
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 Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo 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).
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Naidu orders the revival of FiberNet project
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to revive the AP FiberNet project, which according to him was rendered defunct by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Addressing a review meeting on AP FiberNet at the Secretariat on Monday, Mr. Naidu pointed out that while there were 8.70 lakh connections in 2019, the number fell to 4.50 lakh during the YSRCP regime. He claimed that the TDP government had effectively managed the AP FiberNet with just 130 employees and provided over 8 lakh connections. The YSRCP government created unauthorised posts in the State FiberNet Limited to accommodate its party workers, which resulted in the workforce increasing steeply to 1,350 and misuse of public funds. Mr. Naidu ordered that a thorough investigation should be done into those appointments and steps taken to rectify the past mistakes. He told the officials to increase the present 4,53,525 connections to at least 8 to 10 lakh. Integration with BharatNet The Chief Minister approved the integration of AP FiberNet with BharatNet (the amended BharatNet programme), under which the Central government would provide ₹1,900 crore to AP FiberNet from 2025 to 2035. He gave the nod for transition of fiber networks in 1,692 gram panchayats (GPs) across Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts from linear to ring architecture, and connecting an additional 480 new GPs using the ring model. Mr. Naidu also proposed the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle jointly managed by the Central and State governments to oversee the FiberNet projects. Further, the Chief Minister emphasised the need to reintroduce services like virtual classrooms and strengthen the fiber network in rural and underserved areas and resolving pending issues with the local cable operators.
New Indian Express
10-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Continue awareness drive on use of helmet for road safety: Andhra HC to police
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state police department to continue intensive awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of helmet use by two-wheeler riders. The directive came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Tandava Yogesh. The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Cheemalapati Ravi, appreciated the rise in helmet usage in Vijayawada and underlined the need for statewide awareness on traffic safety and helmet compliance. The bench instructed the Chief Secretary to act on the police department's proposal for advertising funds to promote public awareness via newspapers and television. The Court reiterated its earlier order mandating the use of body cameras by traffic police and sought a detailed implementation report. It was informed that the state is integrating CCTV cameras with AP FiberNet to automate detection of traffic violations. The High Court directed the Andhra Pradesh FiberNet Managing Director to file an affidavit on the project's progress and added him as a respondent. The next hearing is scheduled for August 20. Petitioner Tandava Yogesh stressed that non-enforcement of the Central Motor Vehicle Amendment Rules has contributed to rising accidents. He noted helmet enforcement is lax in rural areas and urged penalties, including vehicle seizure for unpaid fines. He highlighted that 4,276 people died last year due to not wearing helmets. Government Special Counsel S. Pranathi responded that consistent awareness programmes are being conducted and fine collections have increased. She confirmed the integration of CCTV with Andhra PradeshFiberNet is in progress and will take additional time to complete.
