Dear Google, Wi-Fi in Railway Stations is Good, But Will it Work?

Here’s why we think the uber-cool idea of wi-fi(ing) Indian railway stations may encounter roadblocks.

As PM Narendra Modi is flagging off several digital initiatives, we at The Quint are exploring the feasibility of each.

In a flagship initiative, Google has entered a pact with India to set up wi-fi facilities at 500 Indian railway stations. This project is scheduled to start by next year.

We would like to don the mantle of a soothsayer and predict the following roadblocks:

Wi-fi ki chori

Our biggest fear is wi-fi ki chori. Stealing electricity and supplying it in abundance in neighbourhoods that already have plenty, is an Indian way of life.

Well, things have changed over time. We have Sachin Tendulkar endorsing power back-ups and Shah Rukh Khan promoting the world’s smallest AC, Navratna Tel.

By the same token, we predict the inevitability of stolen wi-fi. Of course, it will not be a complete failure; it will be available at the Station Master’s office, his house, and will be reserved for ‘VIPs’ who may someday visit.

No Electricity = No wi-fi

As stated above, power cuts is no aberration in our country. Imagine a situation in which you are stranded on a railway station due to an unsavoury train delay, and the railway station has no power. However fast the wi-fi speed is, it is of no use if there is no option to power your devices.

Isn’t that a waste of high-speed internet?

Speed Issues

We have always had speed issues. Over-speeding (Dhoom-type bikers) or under-speeding (my grandfather-type drivers).

When it comes to the internet, we settle for nothing less than cutting edge, supersonic speed. We however, are sceptical in this department as well. Since it is free, most of us will migrate to railway stations to download movies, songs, porn umm I mean bhajans and so on. Fast pace would inadvertently become worse than our 2G mobile data.

Mouse in the House and Monkeys on Routers

Although we have religious sentiments on both monkeys and rats, their inordinate presence around wi-fi equipment will not be welcomed.

Rats are as much a railway station’s property as are railway tracks, trains and retiring lounges. Since their population and presence is in every corner of the station, they are bound to attack the wi-fi routers and stomach the differently coloured wires. If they can tunnel into our houses, then wi-fi kis khet ki mooli hai?

Monkeys love tearing things apart, be it electricity wires or our clothes. We fear the wi-fi routers will meet a similar fate at their hands.

Of course, there will be external factors such as wind, snow, rain, sun that may further dampen wi-fi spirits. It will be interesting to see what else ails its smooth functioning.