Kejriwal launches free WiFi scheme
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launched the much awaited free WiFi hotspot scheme, while a part of the city faced an internet shutdown. While Kejriwal launched the scheme at ITO bus stand, his deputy Manish Sisodia launched the scheme at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station. Speaking to the media, he said "it is an irony that the day we started the free internet scheme, the internet services are being shut in the city."
He said in the next six months, the city will get 11,000 hotspots. "This is phase one. In phase two, we will give hotspots to the entire city."
Telecom operators on Thursday suspended internet, voice and messaging services in parts of Delhi-NCR following instructions from the police in the wake of protests against anti-Citizenship Amendment Act.
On December 4, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the Delhi government has begun the installation of WiFi hotspots across the national capital.
While addressing the media, Kejriwal had said that there would be 11,000 hotspots across the city, of which 7,000 will be installed in various areas and 4,000 at bus shelters.
"11,000 wifi hotspots will be set up, 4000 at bus stops, 7000 in markets etc. First 100 hotspots will be inaugurated on December 16. It will cost around Rs 100 crores. With this free 15 GB internet data usage being provided to people, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fulfilled all the promises made in its manifesto for 2015 Assembly polls," Kejriwal said.
AAP’s WiFi project has already missed various deadlines. The Cabinet had in August approved free WiFi hotspots across the city.
