Berhampur: Even as there is a surge in demand for Internet services with the rise in population, especially youths, the free Wi-Fi service being provided by Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) here has failed to cater to the needs, with complaints coming from across the city about disruption and slow pace of the service at various access points.
According to reports, BeMC had partnered with a private firm to provide free Wi-Fi service across the Silk City. The service, accessible through one-time passwords (OTPs) on mobile phones, was launched August 31, 2018, to mark the corporation’s 151st anniversary.
A private agency received an Rs 1 crore contract, and the service was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. In the first phase, 27 Wi-Fi access points were installed at key locations, including the one at Khallikote University, Town Hall, the old bus stand, Annapurna Market, Girija Restaurant Square, Gandhi Park, BeMC’s office campus, Biju Patnaik Park and the Sports Arena. Each point was designed to cover a 100-metre radius. However, with a persistent rise in the number of Internet users, denizens allege that the civic body has failed to provide consistent service. Initially, residents were able to access the free service at various access points in a seamless manner. Each access point supported up to 2,000 users. Many welcomed the service, which offered internet speeds of up to 20 Mbps and allowed 300 MB of daily usage. Students using the e-library were among those benefiting from the free connection.
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According to BeMC, about 300 people within the office premises were also using the facility. However, complaints arose about the slow speed of the service. Several civic body employees said the Wi-Fi service at the office often failed to function properly, disrupting work.
Residents also reported that the citywide Wi-Fi network was not operating as smoothly as before. Even after signing in, many users are unable to access the service, while some access points reportedly face frequent server outages.
The access point at the old bus stand has been removed, leaving students and young people from nearby areas without connectivity. According to reports, BeMC has spent `51.50 lakh on Wi-Fi maintenance in 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years. For 2025-26, the civic body has prepared a budget of another Rs 48 lakh to be spent on maintenance. Despite the huge expenditure, residents allege that the service remains unreliable and the scheme is failing to meet its intended purpose. When asked, a BeMC official acknowledged that the number of users has increased as compared to the previous years. He said a higher budget allocation is necessary to meet the demand, but added that the corporation currently does not have additional funding.
