Chennai: From now on, Chennai residents can use free WiFi for up to 30 minutes in a day at 49 locations across the city. Thanks to the Greater Chennai corporation’s smart city project.
According to a report in The New Indian Express, free WiFi is available near smart poles in areas like Gemini junction near Semmozhi park, Marina beach near Kannagi statue and lighthouse, T Nagar pedestrian plaza and Thiruvanmiyur beach. The complete list of locations where WiFi is accessible is available at https://chennaicorporation.gov.in/gcc/images/WiFiSmartPol.pdf
After selecting ‘smart city WiFi’, one needs to register their mobile number and enter the one time password (OTP) to access the free WiFi when they are within the range, said the report and added that the connection will be lost after initial 30 minutes and he/she could avail the internet from the same location only next day.
Quoting an unidentified corporation official, the report said that the poles were not publicised earlier due to COVID-19 and the model code of conduct for the elections.
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The smart poles that have cameras and an emergency call button, are integrated into the corporation's command and control centre, the report said and added that the corporation had also used the poles to make public announcements during the pandemic situation.
The emergency call button is designed to assist women and children, the report said, explaining that the button will transmit the location details of the person who presses the button, to the nearest police station and will be attended to by police patrol.