RailEnquiry

The passengers on Howrah-bound Rajdhani Express got the internet Wi-Fi facility that can be used free of cost.The facility was launched by railways on Tuesday in the premier train as a pilot project."There was a demand for it and it was part of the budget announcement," Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said after launching the Wi-Fi internet service.He said the Wi-Fi service was launched as a pilot project and the passengers will be availing the service free of cost.All three rakes of Howrah Rajdhani are being equipped with the facility as part of the project.It cost Rs 6.3 crores to the Railways to equip the train with the facility.Asked whether passengers will be charged to avail the service in future, Bansal said "the revenue model has not been worked out yet as it is a pilot project and the service will be free of cost for passengers."Railways had conducted a trial run of the Wi-Fi service in Mumbai-Ahemedabad Shatabdi train for some time before deciding to launch it in Howrah Rajdhani."We will get feedbacks from the passengers during the trial run as our aim is to provide the facility in 50 more rakes of Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto services. With more trains, the cost will also come down," he said.Depending on the feedback, railways will float tenders for introducing the state-of-the-art service in 50 rakes. Railtel is providing Internet service in the pilot project.

According to an official statement, it was a challenge to introduce internet access in a moving train considering that the train passes through all types of terrain and continuous internet access in all weather is to be provided.

After due deliberations on various options for providing internet access, Railways decided for satellite communication link to the train and Wi-Fi connectivity to different coaches.

The satellite communication link is arranged through satellite hub facility set up Railways.

For accessing the internet facility, the bona fide passengers will have to access railways Wi-Fi network. The passengers will be able to register by providing the PNR and other details such as mobile phone number.

On validation of the data entered by the passengers, as per extant Department of Telecommunication guidelines the login ID and password will be sent through SMS to the registered mobile number.

The login ID and password will remain valid for the entire journey.