It may not be the safest place on the planet, but it surely is wired. Even though the tourism is pretty much dead in strife torn Jammu & Kashmir, there is now Wi-Fi available on Dal Lake, one of the prettiest places on the planet.

bq. CIOL Reports Dax Networks Ltd, part of Apcom Group, has Wi-Fi enabled Dal Lake, the second largest lake in the J&K state, thus making it the first Wi-Fi enabled lake in the world. The project which has been conceived by Dax Networks and was being implemented in partnership with the Department of Tourism, J&K and iPeaks, an ISP of the state, will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of J&K Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on November 1, 2003.

bq. The shikaras, which move within the lake, are connected to the houseboats, which lie stationary within Dal Lake. The houseboat will house the network connectivity. Even if the shikara moves out of its zone it will remain connected to the concerned houseboat.

Srijit notes that while this is “interesting news from a technological point of view, but I wonder whether it is good for the tourism or anything related to it. What would anyone who wants to spend a lovely peaceful evening in the Dal lake do with connectivity? If I want to to be connected, I will be in Delhi and not in a shikara in the Dal lake!”

Bigger question, who is going to risk their life and get there.