DELHI: After Varanasi, now Taj Mahal and Khajuraho are set to get the free Internet service this week, possibly with additional services report by M Rajendran for Hindustan Times. The Union Tourism Ministry and BSNL are to collaborate on the project, the proposal for which is being discussed by the two parties, said a source in BSNL.
“We had demonstrated the benefits and success of Wi-Fi even in the most crowded places around Varanasi. Installing Wi-Fi services at the two spots will benefit tourists visiting this summer,” said Anupam Shrivastava, Chairman and Managing Director, BSNL.
The Tourism Ministry plans to use this facility to provide information, and even interactive content, about the location.
The government is keen on tackling low Internet penetration in the country by introducing public Wi-Fi hotspots to enable users to surf the web, check e-mail, and bank online. About 25 such hotspots would be set up around tourist locations by June 2015.
To that effect, the government has prepared a Request for Proposal to invite telecom service providers to participate in the project, for which operators will not have to pay any entry fee.
The government will also provide infrastructure, and help with security clearances.
