Bangalore: The next time you see a pothole, instead of cursing the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), just click a photo with your smartphone and upload it to the Palike’s website. Officials will fill it soon. This initiative, said to be the first of its kind, is expected to start on November 1. BBMP, in association with Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (Keonics) is developing a unique application, which can be downloaded from the BBMP webiste by Android phone users free of cost, according to P V Rai, consultant, Keonics.
Through this, BBMP can locate the pothole online. Commissioner Rajneesh Goel told reporters here on Monday that the uploaded photo will be sent to the central data server. “As this application is GIS-enabled, the pothole’s location can be identified and an alert (SMS or email) will be sent to the ward engineers. Officials will be informed and they will have to fill the pothole and take a picture of it with their phone. This will be uploaded on to the website and also sent to the complainant,” Goel said. “We are trying to make the system more transparent. There will be no chance of misappropriation of funds used to fill potholes,” he said.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will launch a new smartphone-based system to manage potholes. Commissioner Goel speaks about the system:
What made you take up this initiative?
Mobile governance is the buzz and we want to switch on to it. Services for problems in potholes, garbage can be included under m-governance. It will give a better and quick solution. In a phased manner, we will include all the roads in BBMP limits.
Will pothole problems be included under Sakala?
State government has instructed Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike to include all the citizen services under Sakala. Potholes come under citizen service. However, it is upto the government to include this particular service under Sakala.
How should non-tech savvy people inform about potholes?
They can call BBMP control room (080-22221188 ) andname the location. However, it will take sometime for us to start that service.
Asphalt Zippers on the Cards
Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy said they are planning to procure asphalt zippers. “We are yet to decide whether to hire or purchase those asphalt zippers. Through asphalt zippers, potholes can be filled in easily,” he said. “Potholes on smaller roads will be filled manualy as asphalt zippers cannot be taken to smaller roads,” he added.
Maintain Roads, BBMP Tells Contractors
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Commissioner Goel said they are insisting contractors who undertake asphalting works to use plastic upto eight per cent and it should be procured at the dry segregation centres. “One kilo of plastic costs Rs 24, while it is Rs 38 per kilo of bitumen. Moreover, using plastic during asphaltation will improve road quality. We are insisting contractors to maintain the road for three years,” Goel further added.
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