Under the information technology head in its Budget for 2016-17, Jharkhand Government made provisions for the sake of delivering Wi-Fi connectivity to the denizens of State capital, but the ambitious project seems to be running out of steam due to the month-long strike of city’s urban local body staff.
Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) was supposed to issue request for proposals (RFP), inviting internet service providers (ISP) to come forth to provide Wi-Fi services in certain parts of the city. But the notices could not be issued due to lack of manpower in the municipal corporation offices.
Officials of the urban local body had shared plans to initiate process for inviting ISPs for taking up the project in the city within this week. Selected ISPs were supposed to equip street lights along Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Main Road) with routers for offering Wi-Fi service to commuters on the busiest artery of Ranchi.
“Notice inviting tenders will be issued after the strike is over. Only after this notice is issued will there be any development in the direction of Wi-Fi zone in the city,” stated Nagendra Dubey, Section In-charge (light), who is looking after the project on behalf of RMC.
Apart from street lamps, new lED high mast lights erected at crucial junctures of the city were also be equipped with routers for the providing Wi-Fi connectivity as well as strengthen cellular phone connectivity in areas under their coverage. Although they are illuminating squares they have been installed at, wireless internet service is a quality they are yet to feature.
These high mast lights cum mobile towers have already been installed at Albert Ekka Chowk, Hinoo Chowk, Harmu Chowk, near Birsa Munda bus terminal and were to be installed in other parts of the city, divided into three zones. Apart from better light and stronger mobile networks, these towers were also meant to generate revenue for the urban local body in rent from the ISPs, depending on the zones they will set up their towers in.
“Wi-Fi service from high mast lights has not been started yet, but the project is under consideration. Airtel, Reliance Jio, ATC and Infratel have been selected as the service providers for reforming the high mast lights and their maintenance. They are forming their plans for the initiative and work will begin only after we get their plans. Till then, these will be just high mast lights,” stated Assistant Municipal Commissioner Bidya Nand Sharma Pankaj.