Aiming to provide connectivity in remote areas, Railways will set up Wi-Fi hotspot kiosks at about 500 stations and help people access an array of online services, including various government schemes.
Christened as Railwire Saathi, the Wi-Fi kiosks will function like a PCO for Digital india and enable people to use services like e-commerce, online banking, offer them access to open school/university and insurance schemes, e-ticketing for train and bus services among others.
Automated form filling, mobile and DTH recharge are other services which the Railwire Saathi is expected to provide in areas with limited connectivity.
While railways is equipping about 400 stations with free Wi-Fi service in association with Google, this scheme has dual aim — providing jobs as well as connectivity.
The Railwire Saathi is a Wi-Fi entrepreneurship model where unemployed youths, preferably women, can be trained and supported to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot and provide a platform to online services which will make the business sustainable
RailTel, the telecom arm of railways, would execute the scheme across the country.
By Baishakhi Dutta
