Under the first phase, the NMC has started installing the system at five major squares in legislative assembly constituencies, including Ajni square (South-West), Futala lake (West), Sakkardara (South), Gandhisagar lake (Central), and Indora square (North). The citizens residing within 500 metres radius of these spots will also get to hear the good night wish at 10pm.

 

The project was planned by former chairman of standing committee Dayashankar Tiwari, who had announced it in his budget. Current chairman Avinash Thakre and municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane took the project forward.

 

Thakre told TOI that five more squares will be covered under the project this fiscal. "Tiwari made budgetary provisions of Rs5 lakh for this, which has been carried forward in my budget. The concept is to install such systems at all squares in phased manner. We are also planning to make announcement regarding the civic body's 150th year after every hour throughout the year. Later, the announcement regarding property tax bills and schedule etc will also be made through this system," he said.

 

Thakre further said various other programmes have been planned to celebrate the 150th year. "Civic body was formed on June 18, 1864. Mayor Anil Sole will kick-start the celebrations on Tuesday by garlanding the statues of great personalities of the city. Head of all the departments will highlight the progress made by their departments and works done in these 150 years at a programme to be organized on Tuesday at Town Hall, Mahal. A special logo has been designed for the occasion and will be displayed on all NMC's properties and bills, letters etc. The President of India Pranab Mukherjee will formally inaugurate the celebrations on November 16, 2013," he said.