Wi-Fi Hyderabad plan entangled in red tape
Government is aiming to extend Wi-Fi facilities throughout the city at the earliest.
Hyderabad: The Wi-Fi Hyderabad project, providing Wi-Fi connectivity in public places, is turning out to be big disappointment as there are too many complications involved in getting permissions from different government departments in the twin cities.
These unexpected speed breakers have meant that only 15 centres have been given Wi-Fi connectivity since its launch in April.
Tank Bund, NTR Marg, Necklace Road, Char-minar, Birla Science Mu-seum and Planetarium, Public Gardens, NTR Gardens, NIMS and Gan-dhi hospitals, MGBS, JBS and Taramati Bara-dari are presently equipped with this facility where users could get connected to the Inter-net through the smartphones or tabs.
Seeking permissions from various government departments for erecting poles or laying cables is mandatory. Therefore the GHMC, HMDA, RTC, Tourism and other government departments were approached initially. However, this had been leading to unexpected delays in the project.
In this backdrop, the IT department is thinking of bringing out new guidelines to expedite the project. This will give a big boost since the government is aiming to extend Wi-Fi facilities throughout the city at the earliest.
However, with government bosses busy with GHMC elections, a related development cannot be expected at least for a few weeks.
The next stage of Wi-Fi services would be extended to parks and community centres and restored lakes in the twin cities.
The spacious RTC Kalyanamandapam will be soon joining the list with RTC according permission for the same.
Wi-Fi facility planned at biennial medaram jatara
Hyderabad: Plans are in place to provide Wi-Fi services to Medaram Jatara, popularly known as Sammakka-Saralamma Jatara, where lakhs of pilgrims converge to offer prayers.
Although the biennial festival is slated for February 17-20, devotees' rush is on for the whole month. In view of the first Medaram Jatara after formation of Telangana, authorities are expecting a record turnout this time.
The footfall last time was nearly one crore. Plans are thus in place to equip the village with digital technology for the convenience of devotees as well as official machinery overseeing the jatara arrangements.
Warangal city will be in the thick of action during the festival with people from Hyderabad and other districts besides various states passing through the city to reach Medaram. Hence Wi-Fi hotspots are being put up in the vicinity of Thousand Pillars and Bhadrakali temples.