Won't be able to operate post FY26 without funds: Vi to SC

Vi owes about ₹1.19 tn spectrum dues to the Centre, besides ₹83,400 cr AGR dues as of March end

- Jatin Grover & Devina Sengupta

Vodafone Idea Ltd, which recently received a second lifeline from the government, has told the Supreme Court it will not be able to operate beyond the ongoing fiscal 2025-26 without bank funding as payments linked to adjusted gross revenue (AGR) fall due.

"It is humbly submitted that without bank funding, the Petitioner company (Vodafone Idea) will not be able to operate beyond FY 2025-26, as it does not have the ability to pay AGR instalment of Rs 18,000 crore as per DoT demands due in March 2026," Vodafone Idea said in its petition submitted to the Supreme Court on 13 May. Mint has reviewed the petition.

The operator has sought a waiver on interest, penalty, and interest on penalty—together worth ₹45,000 crore—on the ₹83,400 crore pending AGR dues. The four-year moratorium on these payouts ends in September.