Railways in India Provide Complimentary Internet Access at 6,115 Stations, Announces Minister
Indian Railways has rolled out free Wi-Fi facilities at 6,115 railway stations across India, as part of the Government of India’s Digital India program [1][2][3]. This initiative, delivered under the brand name RailWire, is managed and operated by RailTel, a public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Railways [1][2][3][5].
Coverage
The free Wi-Fi service is available at major stations in Tier 1 cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai Central, Chennai Central, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad [2][3]. It also covers many Tier 2 cities like Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Meerut, Bhopal, and Tier 3 cities including Rohtak and Cuttack, effectively bridging the urban-rural digital divide [2][3].
Accessing the Service
Passengers can access the free Wi-Fi by switching on their smartphone's Wi-Fi mode and connecting to the 'RailWire' Wi-Fi network. They need to enter their cell number for an SMS OTP to start accessing the Wi-Fi [1][2][3]. Once connected, they can stream HD videos, download entertainment content, and perform office work via free Wi-Fi at these stations.
Cellular Coverage
Almost all railway stations across Indian Railways have 4G/5G cellular coverage provided by other telecom service providers, which passengers also use for mobile data alongside the RailWire Wi-Fi [1][2][4].
Expansion Efforts
Indian Railways is continuously expanding Wi-Fi coverage to more stations as part of enhancing passenger amenities and supporting digital inclusion [1][2][3]. RailTel had earlier collaborated with organizations like Google and Tata Trusts to extend the project but currently manages RailWire independently [2][3]. Recent reports highlight RailTel’s growth and major orders, indicating ongoing investment in expanding and maintaining this infrastructure [3].
In summary, the free Wi-Fi at Indian railway stations is a large-scale, government-driven initiative executed by RailTel under the RailWire brand, ensuring widespread digital connectivity in railway premises across the country with continual efforts toward further expansion and improvement [1][2][3][5]. RailTel has also recently won a major order worth Rs 90.08 crore from the Institute of Road Transport.
[1] https://www.railtelindia.com/ [2] https://www.indianrailways.gov.in/ [3] https://www.digitalindia.gov.in/ [4] https://www.trai.gov.in/ [5] https://www.pib.gov.in/
- Despite the availability of cellular coverage for mobile data, passengers at Indian railway stations can also utilize the free Wi-Fi service for streaming HD videos, downloading entertainment content, or performing office work, as it is offered through the RailWire network, a part of the Indian government's Digital India program.
- As technological advancements intertwine with the election landscape, the expansion of free Wi-Fi facilities at Indian railway stations, driven by RailTel and the Government of India, could potentially influence election-related discussions or campaigns among the nation's citizens, thereby possibly impacting election outcomes.
