Railways will set up Wi-Fi hotspot kiosks at about 500 stations in remote area and help people access an array of online services, including various government schemes. Named as Railwire Saathi, the Wi-Fi kiosks will function like a PCO for Digital India and enable people to use services like e-commerce, online banking, offer them access to open school/university and insurance schemes, e-ticketing for train and bus services among others.
The Railwire Saathi is a Wi-Fi entrepreneurship model where unemployed youths, preferably women, can be trained to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot and provide a platform to online services which will make the business sustainable. RailTel, the telecom arm of railways, would execute the scheme across the country.
A senior Railway Ministry official said, the Railwire Saathi aims to provide connectivity to the unconnected and at the same time offer jobs opportunities in rural areas. Unemployed youth who wants to be RailWire Saathi would have to contact RailTel for necessary training.
The scheme is expected to be operational by May. Railwire Saathi will also help in disseminating information about various government schemes.
