Indian Railways commissions Wi-Fi facility at 6,000 Railway stations

Indian Railways is continuing to extend the Wi-Fi facility at far flanged stations to connect the passengers and the general public with digital systems. With the commissioning of Wi-Fi at Hazaribagh Town falling under Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand state in Dhanbad Division of East Central Railway as on 15.05.2021, Indian Railways commissioned Wi-Fi at 6,000 Railway stations.

• Indian Railways started its Journey by providing Wi-Fi facility at 1st Railway station Mumbai in January 2016.
• Thereafter, provided 5000th Railway station, at Midnapore in West Bengal and reached 6000th Railway station i.e Hazaribagh on 15.05.2021.
• Also, on the same day Jarapada station in Angul District of state of Odisha was also provided with Wi-Fi.
• The Wi-Fi facility at Railway Stations meets the objectives of the aspiring Digital India Program of Government of India.
• This will bridge the digital divide between the rural and urban citizens thereby increasing the digital footprint in the rural villages and also enhance the user experience.
• Wi-Fi facility is being provided by Indian railways at 6000 stations now.
• Provision of Wi-Fi facilities at Railway stations on a self sustainable basis with no cost to the Railways.
• This facility was provided with the help of RailTel, a PSU under the Ministry of Railways.
• This task was carried out in partnership with Google, DOT (under USOF), PGCIL and Tata Trust.

State-wise Wi-Fi facility at Railway stations as on 15.05.21 are as under:

Source: PIB-Press Release | Image Credit: MoR