Chennai, Aug 10:
Visitors to Chennai’s popular beaches are set to get free public Wi-Fi access from September, with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) planning to install 107 new smart poles across key coastal stretches.
According to officials, 75 Wi-Fi poles will be installed at Marina Beach, 20 at Besant Nagar and 10 at Tiruvanmiyur through a private telecom provider, while a survey is under way to set up seven additional poles in Tiruvottiyur. The project is being implemented through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of telecom and internet service providers.
The free Wi-Fi service is expected to offer users up to 45 minutes of internet access per day, enabling beachgoers to access online services, make digital payments, book cabs and stay connected.
The civic body also plans to upgrade around 2,600 existing smart poles across nearly 900 locations, including parks, hospitals and government offices, following complaints of poor connectivity. Service providers have been directed to repair damaged infrastructure and improve network reliability.
Officials said the initiative forms part of the Corporation’s broader efforts to enhance digital connectivity and public infrastructure in the city.