Information on your fingertips at Gujarat bus stations

8220;We were approached by a few private companies to set up such kiosks at bus stands in Ahmedabad, but we decided not to restrict it to Ahmedabad, but instead spread it across the state,8221; said GSRTC Secretary P D Patel.

GSRTC now aims to complete the installation across all the 245 bus stations in the state by March 2009.

8220;It comes completely free to us as the company will generate revenue from advertisements. We have just asked them to have a trained person at every kiosk to guide the people, and we hope to have this facility at all stations before the state celebrates Swarnim Gujarat,8221; said Patel.

The Internet kiosks will provide users with state and city-centric information. A special portal created for the purpose gives access to the Gujarat government website, education and employment related details, as well as schedule information on bus, railway, airport and other city-centric infrastructure.

8220;We are at par with the technology available anywhere in the world. We simply need to utilise the technology in a way that would help the society. The portal that we have made, has been created keeping in mind the kind of information the public needs on a daily basis,8221; said Parag Joshi from Namste Indya Communications Pvt Ltd NICPL.

He said: 8220;We have kept in mind every age group and every category. With the Tatas coming up with 5,000 new employments in the state, we also intend to advertise one eligible person on our portal every day.8221;

To cut the language barrier, the portal is available in both English and Gujarati. The company has estimated a budget of Rs 80 crore for the project.