E-Governance

A Tech Eye for Segregation

Tuesday, 24 December 2013 07:11 administrator

The New Indian Express 24.12.2013

Shilpa Pawar would never turn away from piles of garbage, instead she would stare at it and think about ways to find a solution which could lead to its proper segregation. An MBA graduate and a geographic information system (GIS) professional, such was her will to crack the code of the complex cycle of garbage, that she, along with Raghu Raj, who runs Sunsoft Technologies, created a device - Space Eye Monitoring System for BBMP's garbage collection auto.

"As we started to work with MS Ramakanth, member of Solid Waste Management, we went around to monitor the segregation of wet and dry waste. While we were on our rounds, we realised that some autos were not collecting garbage on designated roads and neither was any routine time being maintained. Though the citizens vouched that they were segregating waste, they felt that the garbage was getting mixed in the BBMP autos," says Shilpa.

In order to address this issue, the duo started looking at technologies like Global Positioning System (GPS) and GIS maps using wireless cameras.

"We came up with the Space Eye Monitoring System which costs about `8000. The device has the ability to track autos in real time using a GIS map. An added advantage is the wireless camera with a transmitter, which has four hours battery backup. It helps us to monitor the auto movement, which can be viewed and recorded remotely from start to end. Secondly, with a simple web link that can shared on Facebook, the residents can watch the live movement of the auto with continuous video streaming," she says.

According to her, the speciality of this instrument is that it is compatible with any android device for viewing or recording. "The device will show the history of the route map with speed and total travel time and it is apt to be used in outdoor conditions," she adds.

Currently the device has been running on trial basis at ward no 166, Karesandra Ward, Padmanabhnagar, Banashankari II stage. "To start with, we are running a pilot project. We are covering up to 10 to 15 streets, which is one-fourth of the ward. We have a dedicated person to monitor the system. In a few days, we will be presenting the device to Vijay Kumar, joint commissioner of South. We will be explaining him about the importance of this device, which is convenient to install in autos and lorries. It is easily attachable and detachable. If found usable, they can further recommend our device to other wards in consultation with the BBMP authorities," she says.

Mandya CMC takes steps to bring in transparency, efficiency

Monday, 23 December 2013 05:40 administrator

The Hindu 23.12.2013

Mandya CMC takes steps to bring in transparency, efficiency

M.T. Shiva Kumar

Nine CCTV cameras installed on office premises.

In order to bring in transparency and efficiency in administration, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras have been installed on the Mandya City Municipal Council (CMC) office premises.

The cameras were installed a few days ago. However, based on footage recorded by a surveillance camera, CMC Commissioner M. Dase Gowda recently caught an employee red-handed while he was allegedly taking money from the public.

Mr. Gowda seized Rs. 6,500 from the employee and issued a show-cause notice to him.

The Mandya CMC has several divisions, including revenue, civil engineering, accounts, khata transfer and officials’ chambers. Hundreds of people regularly visit the CMC for official work. However, the ‘middlemen menace’ has been causing problems for people visiting the CMC office.

Authorities were urged to take measures to monitor officials, who had a nexus with middlemen.

The CMC finally installed nine CCTV cameras at key places in the office, Mr. Gowda told The Hindu here on Saturday.

“The CCTV cameras will play a crucial role in curbing the middlemen menace and will bring in transparency in administration. An employee receiving cash from someone was captured on CCTV camera. We recovered around Rs. 6,500 from the employee, which was unaccounted for,” the CMC Commissioner said.

The CCTV cameras have been installed at a cost of Rs. 85,000. The storage capacity of the high-resolution cameras is 10 days. The CMC had plans to install a few more CCTV cameras in phases, he said.

The CMC president and Commissioner can see the footage captured in their respective offices.

Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority set to adopt e-services

Monday, 23 December 2013 00:00 administrator

The Times of India 23.12.2013

Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority set to adopt e-services

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda), which updated its website earlier this year, has now decided to get more online by providing e-services. Vuda has introduced an e-filing system for the planning section and made provisions for allotment of shops through the online system.

It now plans to extend the e-services to other departments such as urban forestry, estate wing and engineering. "Using the e-services will ensure greater transparency as each of the applications and files can be easily monitored.

Also, applicants can view the status of their applications without having to visit the office," a Vuda official said. "All files in Vuda will be scanned and stored in the server system.

The hard copy of the files will also be available to officials. As soon as any of the hard copy files are passed, the status will be updated online," he said. "The server is being maintained by Andhra University according to the memorandum of understanding we have signed with them. A team of three experts is providing technical support to the staff in uploading and updating the servers," he said.

New GVMC website

Tuesday, 17 December 2013 06:34 administrator

The Hindu 17.12.2013

New GVMC website

Special Correspondent

The redesigned website of GVMC to take service closer to people will be launched on December 22 by S K Joshi Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development and Special Officer of GVMC. IDBI branches at Daba Gardens, Sitammadhara, Gajuwaka and Anakapalle will be linked to enable people pay their property and water taxes from their home.

CCTVs for BBMP Parking Lots

Monday, 16 December 2013 09:42 administrator

The New Indian Express 16.12.2013

Soon, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will be installed in parking lots in markets, commercial complexes and multi-level car parking lots of the BBMP.

BBMP is calling for tenders to maintain parking lots at KR Market, multi-level car parking on JC road, BBMP shopping complexes at Rajajinagar, Yeshwanthpur and Jayanagar. According to Deputy Commissioner (Market) Nagaraj, in order to ensure security, the Palike is insisting that bidders install CCTV cameras at the entrance, exit as well as within the parking premises. “Some vehicles that were parked in some of these parking lots were damaged. CCTV cameras will help us prevent such incidents and nab those miscreants,” he said.

This time, the tender period will be for three years. “We used to call for the tender for one year. This year, we are calling for long term tenders. Bidders are allowed to charge fee equivalent to that of agencies that charge fees in the KSRTC bus stand as well as railway stations. This will be little higher compared to the present fee. But security of the vehicles will be ensured,” Nagaraj said.

Not just this, the parking lot will be open during the night also. At present, parking is allowed from morning till night. “Security guards have to be deputed round- the-clock. Parking will be allowed during night, but the fee will be higher,” he said.

Sources from the BBMP said many of these parking lots were allowing to park vehicles during the night. “Vehicles were parked at the owners’ risk. Miscreants used to break glass-panes of the cars, steal fuel, music systems and even other parts of the car. But agencies were not held responsible. Now the tender clause will specifically say that there should be a security guard, so such incidents can be avoided,” sources said.

‘We Can Tackle Garbage Menace’

According to Mayor B S Sathyanarayana, this will also help keep vigil on those who dump garbage. “With CCTV cameras, we can tackle the person who is responsible for littering parking lots. Our staff including pourakarmikas are working and we can see how they work,” he said. “There is a meeting on Monday and we shall decide on calling for a tender soon,” he added.

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