JOIN USHaving the distinction of being the City’s posh market, Khan Market took a giant leap in terms of technology when it became a Wi-Fi-enabled zone recently.
After a series of speculations and hitches that delayed the much-awaited move, New Delhi Muncipal Council (NDMC) has finally launched the Wi-Fi services in collaboration with Vodafone and Tata Docomo telecom services in the location. However, it is not, as reports claims to be, a fully-free Wi-Fi provision.
A user can avail the first 20 minutes of Internet services free of cost for which one has to register their phone number along with the email id. After that, a one-time password would be provided to
access the Internet.
In order to avail themselves of extra browsing time, one will have to purchase recharge coupons at a nominal price, which will made available in the nearest stores. The Wi-Fi enabled zone has surely grabbed the attention of college-goers, business and other non-business visitors.
“It is good to have high speed Wi-Fi connectivity here and as a college student it helps to have access to such services. It would be great if they could install the services at other places,” said Anish Abraham, a B.Com graduate. “I hope this initiative by NDMC would set a benchmark, at par with international standards, for being economical and welfare-centred,” Sanjeev Malhotra, a businessman said.
Speaking to Metrolife, O P Mishra, director (IT) of NDMC, who is handling the project said, “The primary motive behind this initiative is to make the Capital a public Wi-Fi zone and Khan Market is the place from where we are starting the service. This will be followed in Connaught Place and Delhi Haat, and gradually we will extend the services to the residential areas as well.”
However, there also exists a round of confusion regarding the services. “A lot of people don’t even know about the services. There should be some sort of sign boards to make people aware about it,” said a local shopkeeper. “We have successfully completed the trial runs and rectified the technical glitches in the area. It is fully functional now,” said Dinesh Kohli, a Vodafone promoter.
Though the launch in Connaught Place faced some technical malfunction, NDMC officials are hopeful of starting the services by August end. A trial run has been in operation in the N-Block of CP.
In addition to it, Wi-Fi services have already been provided by Tata Docomo in Delhi Domestic and T3 International Airport and Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Stadium.