Delhi government sets aside Rs 50 crore for wi-fi

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has set aside Rs 50 crore for its ambitious project to provide wi-fi services in all colleges and rural areas in the national capital.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the government has held substantial rounds of discussions and consultations with experts and many models have been thoroughly analysed.

"It has been identified in our interactions whether with the youth, traders, students, housewives or farmers in rural areas, that wi-fi is a fundamental necessity. In the run up to the elections, we had promised the availability of free wi-fi to the citizens of Delhi.

"The initiatives on this front began as soon as we assumed office. There have been many substantial rounds of discussions and consultations with area experts and many models have been thoroughly analysed.

"In the first phase, free wi-fi services shall be launched in all colleges and rural areas. For this, a budget provision of 50 crore is proposed in 2015-16," Sisodia, who also handles the Finance portfolio, said in his Budget speech today.

Wi-Fi is one of the major promises made by the AAP ahead of the Delhi polls. In fact, during the first Delhi Dialouge, the initiative launched by the party to connect with the masses ahead of polls, was for the youth where Arvind Kejriwal promised to give free wi-fi in the national capital.

The initiative also helped attract the party votes from students and youth.