New Delhi — RailTel Corporation of India Ltd., a government-owned telecom infrastructure provider under India’s Ministry of Railways, has secured a major contract worth approximately ₹159.8 crore (around $19 million USD) from Prasar Bharati, India’s national public broadcaster.
The contract was awarded through a Letter of Intent (LoI) issued by the office of the Director General of Doordarshan.
Project Scope and Details
Under the agreement, RailTel will handle the Supply, Installation, Testing, and Commissioning (SITC) of a cloud-based integrated newsroom system. The project will serve multiple broadcasting units, including:
- Doordarshan News
- DD India
- Regional news channels across India
The total contract value stands at ₹1,59,80,86,415 (inclusive of taxes), with completion scheduled by March 18, 2029.
Key Highlights
- Contract Value: ₹159.8 crore (~$19 million)
- Client: Prasar Bharati (Doordarshan)
- Scope: Cloud-based integrated newsroom system
- Completion Timeline: March 2029
- Contract Type: Domestic services
Strategic Importance
This project represents a major step toward modernizing India’s public broadcasting infrastructure. By shifting to a cloud-based newsroom, Prasar Bharati aims to:
- Streamline news production workflows
- Enable real-time content sharing across platforms
- Integrate national and regional news operations
- Enhance digital broadcasting capabilities
Industry analysts say the deal highlights RailTel’s growing capabilities beyond its traditional railway telecom services.
“This contract underscores RailTel’s strategic push into high-value ICT and system integration projects,” said a market analyst tracking India’s public sector enterprises.
Expanding Beyond Rail Infrastructure
Traditionally known for managing one of the largest fiber-optic networks along railway tracks in India, RailTel has been diversifying into digital and cloud solutions for government agencies.
The company’s Navratna status, granted in 2025, allows it greater financial and operational independence, enabling it to compete for larger and more complex projects like this one.
Regulatory Disclosure
RailTel disclosed the contract under SEBI’s Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) Regulations, 2015, confirming:
- The deal is not a related-party transaction
- No promoter or promoter group has any interest in Prasar Bharati
- The order was officially received on March 19, 2026
About RailTel
RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. is one of India’s largest neutral telecom infrastructure providers. The company operates a nationwide optical fiber network spanning railway routes and key cities, playing a crucial role in India’s digital transformation initiatives.