FiberNet was created to serve citizens, students, and government departments. It was never meant to become a political employment agency, N Chandrababu Naidu Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh

metro india news  I amaravati

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has launched a comprehensive revival plan to restore the state's prestigious FiberNet project, accusing the previous YSRCP government of systematically dismantling the initiative for political gain. In a high-level review meeting at the Secretariat, Naidu expressed serious concern over the project's decline and laid out a roadmap to bring it back on track.

“FiberNet was created to serve citizens, students, and government departments. It was never meant to become a political employment agency,” the Chief Minister said, alleging that the YSRCP misused the system by appointing party workers and draining public funds.

Launched during Naidu’s earlier tenure, the AP FiberNet project aimed to provide affordable broadband, IPTV, and VoIP services to every household at just Rs.149 per month. At its peak, the project had over 8.70 lakh connections and operated efficiently with just 130 staff members.

However, by 2024, the number of active connections had plunged to 4.5 lakh, a stark decline attributed to higher tariffs Rs.350 per month, substandard service, and widespread mismanagement. The Chief Minister noted that the staff strength was arbitrarily inflated from 130 to 1,350 to accommodate YSRCP party workers, turning the system into a political recruitment hub.

“Such massive misuse of public infrastructure and funds must be investigated. Every illegal appointment and financial decision needs to be scrutinized, and those responsible must be held accountable,” Naidu asserted. Despite setbacks, Andhra Pradesh remains India’s top-performing state in fiber network outreach. So far, the state has laid 78,355 km of fiber lines, with a goal to extend it to 2 lakh km. AP currently leads the nation ahead of Maharashtra 50,481 km, Tamil Nadu 49,616 km, Gujarat 35,246 km, and Telangana 29,143 km.

In a significant move, the CM approved the integration of AP FiberNet with the Union government’s Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP). Under this program, Andhra Pradesh is set to receive Rs.1,900 crore in central funding between 2025 and 2035. Additionally, Rs.430 crore will be allocated to convert linear architecture into ring architecture across 1,692 gram panchayats in Chittoor and Visakhapatnam districts. Connectivity will also be extended to 480 new panchayats.

Naidu reiterated that AP FiberNet would be central to building a Digital Andhra Pradesh. Virtual classrooms will be reintroduced to bridge the education divide in rural and tribal areas. He also instructed officials to resolve pending issues faced by cable operators and resume essential services disrupted under the previous regime.

“FiberNet is not just about the internet, it’s about opportunity, access, and empowerment,” Naidu stated. “We must correct the mistakes of the past and use this infrastructure to drive innovation, governance, and learning.” The Chief Minister directed officials to implement policy reforms to increase household connections from 4.5 lakh to over 10 lakh within the next phase. “We’re committing Rs.200 crore annually to revive FiberNet. Let us ensure this investment delivers value to the people,” he said.