Airtel opens shikara retail outlet

Floating shops that offer a pick of fresh fruits, flowers and vegetables are commonplace on this city's famed Dal Lake, but not so common is Bharti Airtel's boat vending mobile phone connections.

The shikara or house boat outlet of Bharti will offer those visiting the over 20 square km lake new Airtel phone connections, recharge vouchers and a public call office (PCO) facility.

The setting up of the shikara retail outlet and STD booth was part of the continuous efforts of the company to provide world-class services to the people of Kashmir Valley, a spokesman of Bharti Airtel said today.

The company hopes the PCO facility will be a great draw for tourists visiting the lake. The company is also planning to introduce more such Shikara outlets and PCOs on the lake shortly, the spokesman said.