NDMC logs in for seamless Wi-Fi corridor

NEW DELHI: The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) is all set to gift Delhiites a seamless Wi-Fi corridor in areas under its jurisdiction. The facility will be available free of cost for the first 20 minutes of entering the zone. The plan was announced as a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s smart city initiative.

“The idea of street Wi-Fi was under consideration since 2013 but due to various administrative problems, the initiative was getting delayed. This is the first time in the world that a public private partnership (PPP) of such nature has been initiated,” said NDMC chairman Jalaj Srivastava.

The proposal was presented to the lieutenant governor SHANTHA RAJU, CEO, Indus Towers Limited

and a purpose of intent was signed on Wednesday. It highlighted that all public Wi-Fi plans across the world have been architecturally connected to buildings.

This was the primary reason why users did not get uninterrupted services.

After the first 20 minutes of free internet service, the user’s mobile operator’s commercial model will be operative,

Srivastava added.

In the proposed plan, Wi-Fi corridors providing 4G services will be made where connections will be transmitted via streetlight poles. Along with internet, the poles will have CCTV cameras, around 3000 in number. The current streetlight bulbs will be replaced by LED bulbs.

Around 18,500 such poles will be set up within the next three years, Srivastava said.

“The project is likely to be immensely successful in areas where there is more concentration of population, especially where there are more youngsters,” he added.

“A single streetlight pole will be fitted with LED light bulbs, CCTV cameras and the Wi-Fi ports. This will be like a digital highway that will reduce call drops, ensure uninterrupted internet services, save electricity and guarantee round-the-clock surveillance,” said Shantha Raju, CEO of Indus Towers Limited, which has taken charge of giving shape to the project.

The project is likely to start from June and would cost the company around `225 crores. The first batch of smart poles is likely to be seen around Shanti Path.