Digital India Gets a Voltage Boost: Polycab’s ₹6,448 Cr Power Move with BSNL

Polycab India Ltd has inked a landmark agreement with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL), securing a ₹6,448 crore contract under the Amended BharatNet Program. This strategic move positions Polycab as a key Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for the development of the middle-mile broadband network across multiple telecom circles, including Bihar, Karnataka, Goa, and Puducherry.

 

The agreement, split across two major packages, includes ₹3,003 crore for Bihar (Package 7) and ₹3,445 crore for Karnataka and surrounding regions (Package 4). The scope of work spans design, supply, construction, installation, upgradation, and long-term maintenance of the BharatNet infrastructure. The project will be executed on a Design-Build-Operate-Maintain (DBOM) model, with a three-year construction timeline followed by a ten-year maintenance period. Annual maintenance charges are pegged at 5.5% of capex for the first five years and 6.5% thereafter.

 

This development is part of the Centre’s ₹1.39 lakh crore BharatNet Phase III initiative, aimed at delivering last-mile digital connectivity to over 6.4 lakh villages. Polycab’s involvement underscores the government’s push to empower indigenous players in critical infrastructure, while also reinforcing BSNL’s role in national broadband expansion.

 

With this deal, Polycab not only strengthens its EPC credentials but also deepens its footprint in India’s digital transformation journey—bringing fiber to the farthest corners of the country.

 

Sources: Business Standard, BharatNet.in,