Chennai Corporation revives free Wi-Fi project for beaches
- Chennai Corporation has revived its free Wi-Fi project for beaches.
- The project was initially launched but later stalled.
- The initiative aims to provide internet access to beachgoers and enhance digital services.
Project revival after initial setback
The Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to revive its free Wi-Fi project for beaches across the city, nearly two years after the initiative was first announced but failed to take off. The project, which was initially planned to cover major beaches including Marina, Elliot's, and Thiruvanmiyur, will now be rebooted with a fresh approach.
According to officials, the earlier attempt faced technical and administrative hurdles, leading to the project being shelved. Now, the corporation is working on a new model to ensure seamless connectivity and avoid past mistakes.
New model and implementation
The corporation is exploring a public-private partnership model to implement the project. A detailed proposal is being prepared, and tenders will be floated soon. The new system is expected to use optical fibre cables laid along the beach roads to provide high-speed internet.
Officials said the Wi-Fi hotspots will be set up at intervals along the beaches, covering popular spots where crowds gather. The service is expected to be free for users, with the corporation bearing the operational costs or partnering with internet service providers.
Benefits for visitors and local vendors
The free Wi-Fi service is expected to benefit thousands of visitors who throng the beaches daily, especially during weekends and holidays. It will also help local vendors and small businesses who operate along the shores to go digital, enabling them to accept online payments and promote their services.
Students and professionals who visit the beaches for leisure or work will also find the connectivity useful. The corporation is also considering setting up digital kiosks at select points to provide information about city attractions and events.
Previous challenges and current readiness
The earlier project faced issues such as lack of maintenance and poor bandwidth, which led to frequent outages and user complaints. This time, the corporation plans to include a robust maintenance clause in the contract and ensure regular monitoring of the network.
Officials have also indicated that they will coordinate with the state government's IT department to ensure that the infrastructure aligns with broader digital initiatives. The timeline for the implementation is yet to be finalised, but the corporation aims to complete the rollout by the end of this year.
What to watch
Residents and beachgoers will be watching closely to see if the rebooted project delivers on its promises. The corporation's ability to overcome past hurdles and provide reliable, free internet will be key to the project's success. If implemented well, it could set a precedent for similar public Wi-Fi initiatives across the state.