Wi-Fi services are proposed to be provided at 6471 stations (i.e. all stations other than F category halt stations) over Indian Railways, according to nation’s Railway Ministry.
5816 stations are targeted to be provided with Wi-Fi services by March, 2020, the ministry stated on 13th December.
Balance 655 stations are targeted to be provided with Wi-Fi services by March, 2021, it said.
So far this facility has been provided at 5491 stations up to 3rd December, 2019, it added.
During the month of October, 2019, a total of 15145433 (1.51 crores) unique users logged into free Wi-Fi services provided at Railway Stations of Indian Railways.
According to ministry’s statement, so far funds of Rs. 27.77 crores, have been sanctioned by DoT under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) for the provision of Wi-Fi services at 200 Nos. Railway stations in rural areas.
RailTel has signed agreement/MoU for extending Wi-Fi services with the following agencies:
- Mahataa Information India Pvt. Ltd. (MIIPL) (a group company of M/s. Google).
- Power Grid Corporation of India Limited.
- Department of telecom under Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).
- Tata Trusts and Vijyavahini Charitable Foundation and Indian Railways.
The ministry further said that balance stations have been completed in collaboration with other organizations under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)/Charity funding and under partnership with Railways.
