Google's internet bus to begin Bengal journey

Google will run a bus across West Bengal from tomorrow to familiarise people with the importance and usage of the internet.

"We had begun the internet bus back in February 2009 and now the bus will tour the state. We hope to create awareness about the internet as we believe that continuous efforts will enable the common man to utilise the knowledge," Google India director Vinay Goel said here today.

The search engine giant is targeting to familiarise first-time users with the internet as the bus will be posted at public places and outside schools.

Besides Kolkata, it will travel to other towns like Durgapur, Asansol, Kharagpur, Ulberia, Chandannagar, Haldia, Bankura and Purulia.

The internet bus has already travelled 11 states covering 130 towns touching 6.5 million people, he said.

"We also found that some 30% of the internet bus users have begun using internet," Goel said. Currently, estimated internet users in India are 82 million and about 37% are from smaller towns.

Asked about street view project of Google, the official said the project will be resumed after it receives some regulatory clearances from the government.

He said the India launch of Google Chrome operating system and notebook is yet to be decided.