Noida to soon have dedicated spots with free WiFi, mobile charging points, and panic buttons

A Times of India report has said that the Authority will install free high-speed Wi-Fi stations throughout the stretch between Shashi Chowk, which lies at the intersection of Sector 36 and Sector 39, and the Logix City Centre Mall, which is located in Sector 32. There will be a theme-based pedestrian stretch with smart benches that have mobile phone charging points as well as USB ports. The Authority said it would also ensure the safety of pedestrians and cyclists throughout the stretch. For that, the road will have poles with panic buttons attached to them. These buttons will be linked to the intelligent traffic management system (ITMS), so when pressed in an emergency, the buttons will send alerts to the nearest traffic control room for immediate response. “Safety on the road has been given importance under this project, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. For this, theme-based pedestrian crossing and pathways will be part of the road. Apart from these, one side of the road will be converted into a multi-utilities zone (MUZ) with free Wi-Fi,” Authority CEO Ritu Maheshwari was quoted as saying in the report. In the project of making the stretch smart and more public-friendly, the Noida Authority will spend about Rs 5 crore. It is expected to be ready by the end of May, and if successful, the Authority will begin making similar arrangements on other stretches in Noida, including the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. “We have begun work on this model road where the cost of the project is about Rs 5 crore. We expect to complete the work by May-end,” said SP Singh, deputy general manager of the traffic cell, Noida Authority. The Authority also said it will beautify the roads by installing more sculptures “to add vibrancy and identity to the city.” There will be a green belt also available throughout the stretch, which Singh said, “can be used for evening walks or quiet sitting out areas.” The Authority also has plans to install vendor kiosks near the metro station and solar panel-powered smart bus stops with signage directing to the nearest ATM. (Source: India Today)