BSNL, MTNL to provide Wi-Fi services at 100 tourist places

New Delhi: BSNL and MTNL will provide Wi-Fi facilities at 100 tourist destinations across the country with the Union Tourism Ministry inking agreements with the state-run telecom service providers to this effect.

A total of 100 tourist places, including world heritage sites, will be identified where the service will be provided within the next six months, Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi said today.

BSNL and MTNL will provide the service for seven years with the Tourism Ministry bearing the operational cost for the first three years, he added.

Zutshi, however, said a call was yet to be taken on the charges for using Wi-Fi which are expected to be free for the first few minutes.

The ministry has already started providing Wi-Fi services at 30 tourist places, including Trimula temple in Andhra Pradesh, Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh), the ghats of Varanasi, Fatehpur Sikri and Taj Mahal (Uttar Pradesh).

Zutshi said another 70 locations would be added to the list over the next six months, taking the tally to 100.

The initiative will enable tourists to upload photos and videos on the social media in real time.

Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma has repeatedly said the Centre has accorded top priority to tourism which reaps benefits such as earning foreign exchange, providing employment to the youth and empowering the women.