Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa Electricity Department has introduced a simplified mechanism for providing power connections to infrastructure being established under the Amended BharatNet Programme, removing the need for separate applications for every location.
Through a notification issued by the Chief Electrical Engineer’s office, the department has introduced a Common Application Form (CAF), enabling an applicant to seek connections for multiple BharatNet sites across Goa through a single application.
The revised procedure is expected to reduce paperwork and help accelerate the deployment of BharatNet infrastructure in villages and gram panchayats.
As per the new arrangement, connections required for the programme will be categorised as government connections, following directions issued by the Ministry of Power.
The department has also permitted the monthly electricity charges for multiple connections belonging to the same applicant under the programme to be consolidated into a single bill. The provision applies to eligible telecom service providers, infrastructure companies, Bharat Broadband Network implementing agencies and other authorised entities, subject to the applicable requirements.
Field-level engineers have been instructed to implement the revised mechanism and process BharatNet-related connection applications without delay.
The move follows communications from the Ministry of Power and the Union Ministry of Finance concerning Right of Way provisions and implementation of the BharatNet programme.
The state government cleared the measures on August 26, 2026, following which the Electricity Department issued its notification on September 9. The new provisions have come into force with immediate effect.
