Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner K. Vijaya Karthikeyan on Wednesday inspected a smart bench or solar tree which has erected at the VOC Park grounds.

According to sources, this is the second smart tree model that the Corporation has tried as part of its efforts to build 30 smart benches or solar trees across the city.

The Corporation first built a smart bench at its main office in Town Hall under the Smart Cities Mission but the project did not take off as no private player was willing to invest in the project, which the Corporation wanted to be executed under the public-private partnership mode.

Visitors here can now enjoy WiFi connectivity free of cost, because of the “golden tree” or “smart tree”.

The initiative by the Coimbatore Corporation, at a total cost of ₹ 30 lakh under the Smart Cities programme. It was inaugurated on Sunday by Minister for Municipal Administration S.P. Velumani.

According to a press release from the civic body, from 7 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. the public can get unlimited WiFi access sitting within 30 square metre radius around the tree.

Plug points have been provided to recharge mobile phones, laptops, and other electronic gadgets. CCTV cameras will be installed for 24×7 surveillance.

Power requirement for the entire area around the tree is from solar energy. Arrangements have also been made for uninterrupted power supply.

Initially, it was proposed to rent out space on an hourly basis for a nominal fee for holding meetings or small get-togethers.

Such WiFi trees will be commissioned at 25 locations in the city. The government is expected to earn annually ₹ 18.25 lakh from the 25 trees, including ₹ 73,000 for the Corporation.

The officials were in the process of identifying locations for the rest of the spots. Nearly 900 sq.ft. was required for each tree. The Corporation would provide the land but the services would be provided by the private player.