The South Central Railway (SCR), which has provided free high-speed Wi-Fi services at about 207 stations so far, would soon be in a position to provide the service at another 76 stations. Work at 291 stations has been progressing fast, while there are about 150 stations still to be covered.
The number of login users, that was over 10 lakh in May alone consuming 40 terrabytes, is indicative of the rising popularity of the facility. The Secunderabad railway station has registered the highest number of users and data consumption and fourth among 1,600-plus stations across India in terms of unique users.
Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Guntakal are some of the other stations that have recorded significantly high number of users. General Manager Gajanan Mallya advised officers and staff to coordinate with Rail Tel Corporation to chalk out plans to extend the facility to all the railway stations in this financial year itself as mentioned in the 100-days action plan given by the Ministry of Railways.
“Wi-Fi at railway stations will help passengers get information and help ease out waiting time, besides providing them entertainment,” he said.
Free Wi-Fi services to rail users are being provided under Rail Wire, the retail broadband initiative of the Rail Tel Corporation.
It is accessible to any user with a smart phone with a working mobile connection for KYC considerations. The initiative has been taken up under Digital India Mission and it began in Mumbai in January 2016.
It has also led to some unexpected benefits as Internet is being used by some non-rail users as well. For instance, Wi-Fi facility provided at the remote railway station at Gollapalli in Telangana is being accessed by students of a government school in the vicinity to enhance their skills and knowledge, said Chief Public Relations Officer Ch. Rakesh.