3 Unesco heritage sites to get free Wi-Fi soon

NEW DELHI:After the introduction of Wi-Fi services at the Taj Mahal, internet access will soon be made available at Delhi's three world heritage sites--Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb.

The service will enhance the monument-viewing experience of a visitor as she could find out more about its history and other interesting titbits without draining their mobile internet packs.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which manages these sites has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rail Tel Corporation to install free Wi-Fi services at the Red Fort, while they have done a tie-up with MTNL for providing internet at the Qutub Minar and the Humayun's tomb.

ASI has also made a contract with BSNL for installing Wi-Fi at Mahabalipu ram, Hampi, Khajuraho and the Brihadeeswara temple at Tanjore.

According to officials, the Wi-Fi facility will be free for the first 30 minutes and post that usage, any browsing will be chargeable and tourists will have to buy vouchers."The services can be availed within a 200-metre radius of the monument.However, ASI has asked the service provider not to carry out any construction or installation within the protected monument," sources said.

ASI has also identified other heritage monuments where the free Wi-Fi plan will be implemented. It had already signed a MoU with BSNL which started the services at the Taj Mahal, the same will be implemented at other monuments like Fatehpur Sikri, Sarnath and the Sun temple, Konark.