Indian Railways has proposed to introduce Wi-Fi facility at A1 and A category stations and in 50 rakes of important trains, like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duranto, reports the Press Information Bureau. Indian Railways had already introduced Wi-Fi facility in 3 rakes of Howrah-New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani Express as a pilot project, in April 2013 after initially announcing it in February 2011. For this pilot project Eastern Railway has apparently spent Rs.6.67 crore. For the proposed introduction of Wi-Fi facility in other Rajdhani trains and in Shatabdi and Duranto category of trains an estimated budget of Rs.55 crore has been fixed. Also, it seems the Northern Railway has already been provided Rs.1 crore in the current financial year to begin executing this. RailTel Corporation of Indian Limited (CIL), which is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Railways, will provide the Wi-Fi facility in stations through independent internet service providers (ISPs), with no investment on part of the Railways. Back in 2006, the then RailTel AGM (Business Development & Public Relations) Shailesh Tiwari had told that it plans to create Wi-Fi hotspots in 500 stations and also extend the service to the neighbouring areas, in an interview. Eight years have passed but next to no progress on this front. Apparently the Indian Railways is keen on utilising a cost effective technology for providing Wi-Fi facility in trains and stations, and is currently deliberating the options. Implementation will begin post selection of the right technology. Why the delay and no fixed deadlines?…
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