The Pune Zilla Parishad in a first of-its-kind initiative has put a pro- posal before the central government to roll out the `Computers on wheels' project in the state. Having received the `in principle' approval, they are waiting for a formal approval now.

ZP CEO Sanjiv Kumar said that `Computers on wheels' will hire a bus with 16 computers and trainers and travel to schools in rural areas. "The children who have been deprived of computer learning will have access to computers through this medium," he said. With a budget demand of Rs 60 lakh, ZP wants to roll out the pro- ject in Purandar taluka before spreading out to the entire district and later state.

This initiative will help 32 children access computers at one time. "With the help of trainers, the students can get proper training," said Kumar.

The plan is to buy five old buses and modify it with necessary equipment. "We plan to get the buses from the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd," he said.

The proposal has been designed on the lines of Vidya Pratishthan's computer on wheels wherein they have an air conditioned mobile van that functions as a mobile classroom.

"The teachers travel in the van to different areas and impart knowledge to children. Basics of computers are also taught," said a primary teacher from Baramati. The mobile van from the Vidya Pratisthan also work for child nutrition.