New Delhi: Soon international and domestic tourists thronging Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's tomb will be able to avail free Wi-Fi service.
The Wi-Fi facility will be free for first 30 minutes and post that usage, any browsing will be chargeable and the tourists will have to buy vouchers.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rail Tel Corporation to install free Wi-Fi service at Red Fort, while they have done a tie-up with MTNL for providing internet at Qutub Minar and Humayun's tomb.
“We have written to service providers to install Wi-Fi hotspots at three historical sites. We have given principal approval to go ahead with the project and the telecom companies will soon start the work,” a senior ASI official said today.
According to officials the services can be availed within a 200-metre radius of the monument.
However, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has asked the service provider not to carry out any construction or installation within the protected monument.
Service provider is in process of deciding number and location of hotspots to be installed at each site.
The ASI has also identified others spots in the country where this free Wi-Fi plan will be implemented.
In a MoU with BSNL they have decided to install Wi-Fi services at Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath and Sun temple Konark.
The service was yesterday inaugurated at Taj Mahal.
“BSNL will bear all the installation charge and will not share any revenue with ASI. They will also ensure that a minimum internet speed is maintained for uninterrupted online browsing,” the ASI official said.
While ASI has also made a contract with BSNL for installing Wi-Fi at Mahabalipuram, Hampi, Kajuraho and Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore but in these locations ASI will share the installation cost.
“ASI will share installation cost with BSNL, while revue will go to the service provider,” the officer added.
“Taking pressure won't be good for us. We faced similar pressure at the World Cup where even those who believed in us could only hope that we would reach the second round. So just like we did it there, we will take it match by match,” he said.
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