Delhi government launches Wi-Fi in six buses

NEW DELHI: Six wi-fi, CCTV and GPS enabled buses were flagged off by the Delhi Transport Minister Gopal Rai today, who described it as the "first step" towards ensuring women's safety in the national capital.

Transport Minister Gopal Rai said two telecom companies and another private firm will run the facilities in the buses, in selected routes, during the trial period till January 15, letting commuters use free wi-fi for 10 minutes each.

The companies will submit their reports to the government within February 15 and tenders would be floated thereafter for the facilities to be installed in the entire DTC fleet, Rai said.

"We had promised free wifi and complete safety for women in the city. This is the first step towards fulfilling that. Tenders for wifi across Delhi, apart from that in buses, would be floated in March first week," Rai said.

The buses have three cameras installed, at the front, back and one facing the driver, whose feed would be available to the police "as and when required", Rai said. "Data would be monitored and stored by DTC and DIMTS in case of cluster buses."

Stickers have been pasted behind bus seats with the guidelines towards availing free wifi for 10 minutes. "This is only during the trial stage. How much will be free and how much to be paid for would be decided later," a government official said.

Rai also urged people to send feedback through whatsapp, email and social media site 'Twitter' using the hashtag #aamaadmiwifi.