Hi, Joshi Sir. Could you fix sewage, stalking, stray dog problem?
Nagpur: Although it is opposed by corporates and public representatives, Nagpurians want the city free of encroachments. The people have been adamant about it at any given opportunity to interact with the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (MMC).
Mayor Sandip Joshi released the first NMC app — Hello Mahapaur — a week ago, asking people to file complaints about it. For Mayor and NMC, data are available at a glance on what attracts the highest complaint. There are eight heads to file complaints with ‘ other issues ‘ being the ninth.
376 people lodged complaints in the first week, out of which the maximum 63 were for sewage choking and related issues. Sewage and potholes have been plaguing people for several decades now. Encroachments of 55 were in No. 2. Complaints have come about for roadside encroachments, footpaths, in front of residential gates and areas, and market places.
Upon Joshi’s prod, as of January 1, the NMC launched a campaign against invasions. It began with gusto, then fizzled out. Municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe ordered that action be taken against illegal weekly markets immediately after assuming charge. After two days, the drive was abandoned too.
Mundhe’s campaign saw almost all parties raising complaints from corporates and public representatives. They said that without hawkers, and weekly vegetable markets, residents could not do it.
Complaints relating to the threat of stray dogs are at No. 3 with 53. Most parts in town face severe problems. Senior citizens say walking or running in residential areas during morning and evening hours as well as main roads when dogs chase them has become very difficult.
Joshi had recently announced the hiring of 6 NGOs to sterilize 80,000 stray dogs (instead of one). The fee to be charged to NGOs has also been hiked from Rs800 to Rs1,000 per dog. Video recording was to be taken of the entire sterilization process. The proposal has yet to be taken off.
On the app’s usefulness, Joshi said, “Redressing complaints have begun in an effective way. Seven Special Duty Officers (SDOs) were assigned to manage the complaint. The complainant only gets a reply on mobile or e-mail after an action is taken.”
The app has six icons including one for complaint and one for direct messaging to Mayor. The remaining four are NMC, Swachh Nagpur and news section highlighting projects and success stories.
When one clicks on the Swachh Nagpur button, it is possible to get zone-wise toll-free numbers for garbage complaints. Google maps are available for all public toilets, too.
Mayor’s app received more feedback compared to recommendation boxes that were placed at 100 sites. In 100 suggestion boxes over four days 276 suggestions/complaints were issued.
