Thane to Get 8 Hours of Free Public WiFi Daily as Minister Pratap Sarnaik Revives Citywide Connectivity Plan

Thane is set to take a significant step toward improving its digital infrastructure, with Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announcing a citywide rollout of free public WiFi. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) will offer the service across schools, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, metro stations, and various public spaces. Residents will receive eight hours of free WiFi access daily, after which usage will shift to a paid model.

The initiative signals a renewed push toward strengthening digital access in one of Maharashtra’s fastest-growing urban regions. As public dependence on digital platforms increases across education, healthcare, mobility, and government services, high-quality, reliable internet connectivity is becoming integral to urban life. Thane’s move reflects these priorities while also addressing earlier concerns that had stalled a similar initiative in the past.

A Renewed Digital Push After Past Controversy

This is not the first time Thane has attempted to introduce a free public WiFi network. A previous TMC-led initiative was derailed after allegations from BJP corporators, who claimed that the company responsible for providing the service had unilaterally sold connections and earned substantial revenue without proper oversight. The allegations prompted demands for a full investigation and action against the service provider.

The controversy left the project in limbo and raised questions about regulatory clarity, transparency, and public accountability. Against this backdrop, Minister Pratap Sarnaik’s fresh announcement marks an attempt to revive and rebuild public trust in the concept, emphasising that safeguards and proper agreements will be put in place before implementation. He has also expressed willingness to allocate government funds to ensure that cost does not become a barrier to deploying the infrastructure.

WiFi Access Across High-Density Public Zones

The new plan envisions wide coverage across Thane’s busiest and most socially significant zones. Schools and colleges will be among the key beneficiaries, where reliable internet access can meaningfully support digital learning tools, hybrid classrooms, online examinations, and access to e-resources.

Hospitals will also gain from this public utility, especially as telemedicine, digital patient records, and appointment-management systems become increasingly integrated into routine healthcare. Public transport hubs, including railway stations and metro stations, are expected to witness high usage volumes, as internet access plays a vital role for ticketing, real-time travel updates, last-mile navigation, and daily communication needs.

Crowded public places, including markets and community centres, will also be part of the coverage footprint, ensuring the service aligns with day-to-day mobility and lifestyle patterns of residents.

Eight-Hour Free Usage Model Balances Access and Sustainability

Under the new framework, every user will receive eight hours of free WiFi access daily. After this threshold, a paid model will be activated. Such hybrid models are increasingly adopted globally to ensure that connectivity remains accessible without overburdening municipal finances.

The free daily quota offers substantial flexibility for students, workers, small entrepreneurs, and passengers who rely on digital tools for routine tasks. Meanwhile, the pay-as-you-use structure after eight hours helps ensure network sustainability, prevents misuse, and supports long-term operational costs for the service provider.

Minister Sarnaik highlighted that the goal is to make WiFi universally accessible within the city while ensuring operational viability in the long run.

Contract Finalisation and Implementation Roadmap

A formal agreement with the selected service provider will be finalised soon. The contract is expected to outline clear compliance, monitoring, and revenue-sharing mechanisms to prevent the issues encountered during earlier attempts.
Once awarded, the rollout will cover schools, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, metro stations, and heavily frequented public areas. The implementation structure will likely follow a phased model, with early deployments concentrated in high-footfall zones to maximise immediate public benefit.

Minister Sarnaik reaffirmed that while the first eight hours of usage will remain free, residents wishing to extend their internet access beyond that will need to opt for paid plans. This approach, he stated, is designed to support widespread access without compromising transparency or financial discipline.

A Step Toward Digital Inclusion and Smarter Urban Services

Thane’s renewed push for free public WiFi reflects a broader shift in urban governance, where digital inclusion is no longer a luxury but a core requirement. Public WiFi networks, when properly regulated, unlock significant social and economic value. They support micro-entrepreneurs, empower students, reduce data expenses for low-income families, and enhance the functioning of government services that increasingly operate on digital platforms.

For cities striving to modernise, such infrastructure lays the foundation for smart mobility, public safety systems, urban surveillance, digital health initiatives, and emergency communication networks.

Strengthening Trust Through Transparent Execution

Given past challenges, transparent execution will be crucial to ensuring broad public acceptance. The renewed commitment from the state government, coupled with Sarnaik’s assurance of funding support and contractual oversight, positions the initiative on firmer footing than before.

If executed effectively, Thane’s public WiFi network has the potential to become a model for other municipal corporations across Maharashtra, demonstrating how urban digital services can be scaled responsibly while balancing public access, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability.

As Thane continues to evolve into a more connected and digitally empowered city, the rollout of eight hours of free WiFi marks an important milestone in its urban transformation journey.