MHRD fails to initiate project, AU awaits Wi-Fi

ALLAHABAD: Despite tall claims that the entire Allahabad University campus and all the hostels would be given Wi-Fi facility, students and teachers are still waiting for it. It is the decision makers in the ministry of human resource and development (MHRD) who have failed to initiate the project promised for all the centrally funded institutions of the country.
In August, the varsity authorities had announced an amount of Rs 1 crore to make the entire campus Wi-Fi enabled within the last quarter of 2014 (month of October to December).It was also claimed that students and inmates would be able to use high speed internet connectivity within the radius of 100 meters of the router, installed in the campus and hostels.
AU authorities were to install a minimum of three control units each in Arts and Science campuses and one each in commerce and law along with two units each in all the hostels belonging to AU and the entire Women Hostel (WH) campus.
The announcement was made by the varsity authorities after a letter, dated July 4 was sent by secretary MHRD, Ashok Thakur. It was mentioned in the letter that MHRD has taken a policy decision to make all the centrally funded institutions Wi-Fi enabled.
It was also mentioned that for establishing the Wi-Fi network, MHRD would provide an amount of Rs 55 lakhs (25% to be borne by the institution). Institutions were informed that for accessing the fund, they should prepare a proposal and send the same to MHRD after which campus of the institution concerned would be made Wi-Fi enabled in the next three months (October, 14).
Apart from the facility of Wi-Fi, AU authorities had also claimed to provide internet speed of 10 GBPS (Gigabit per second) from the present speed of 1 GBPS. But that too is still waiting to see the day’s light.
"We have sent the proposal to the Center in this regard and also submitted three reminders to MHRD but we are still waiting for further progress in the matter," said chairman, ICT (Information and communication technology) cell AU, Prof R K Singh.
AU authorities prepared the proposal for making the campus Wi-Fi enabled in December 2013 itself and had the needed funds too but failed in its implementation. As of now, varsity authorities could do nothing but wait for things to move at MHRD.