TV
The city’s public Wi-Fi project, Bhubaneswar Me, is set for a major expansion with plans to extend the service to universities, colleges, and busy public spaces after limited usage at existing hotspots.
Launched under the previous government to provide free internet access to citizens, the initiative currently operates through 515 hotspots and 1,601 access points, offering up to 30 Mbps speed and 1 GB of free data per user per day.
While the project involved an investment of around Rs 10–12 crore and incurs a monthly operational cost of nearly Rs 3 lakh, usage so far has been concentrated in a few locations such as the Baramunda bus stand and the Santhakabi Bhimabhoi Library.
To improve effectiveness, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) is now working on relocating underutilised hotspots to parks, crowded areas, and educational institutions.
A senior BSCL official confirmed that surveys have already been carried out in collaboration with BSNL to extend the Wi-Fi coverage to nine leading campuses, including Utkal University, Rama Devi Women’s University, and BJB Autonomous College. Students, particularly those preparing for competitive exams, are expected to be the primary beneficiaries.
The move also addresses a practical need. Authorities noted that during exhibitions and fairs, mobile networks often get congested, disrupting UPI transactions. To ease such issues, hotspots are being installed at key venues like the Unit-3 Exhibition Ground and Janata Maidan, ensuring smoother digital payments during high-traffic events.
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Between August 15 and 31, official data shows 27,420 users accessed the network, consuming nearly 6,801 GB of data. While the average daily usage stood at 1,600 users with 400 GB consumed, BSCL believes the numbers will grow significantly once Wi-Fi becomes available in educational and recreational hubs.
Officials added that the relocation and expansion plan is designed to make the service financially feasible and socially useful, ensuring that the benefits of the project are better aligned with actual demand.
