NEW DELHI, April 3 – For the first time, Indian Railways is introducing Wi-Fi facility on its train service, a plan that was tabled during the recent Railway Budget. The Minister of Railways Pawan Kumar Bansal launched Wi-Fi- facility as a pilot project on Howrah Rajdhani Express on Tuesday.
“To introduce internet access in moving train was a technological challenge considering that the train passes through all type of terrain and continuous Internet access in all weather is to be provided,” he said.
After due deliberations on various options for providing internet access, Indian Railways decided for satellite communication link to the train and Wi-Fi connectivity to different coaches, said Bansal. The satellite communication link is arranged through satellite hub facility, set up by Indian Railways, he said.
Presently this facility is free to the travelling passengers. Indian Railways intend to extend this service on other Rajdhani/Shatabdi/Duronto express trains progressively based on customer feedback and acceptance.
BERNAMA
