Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a significant step toward digitizing citizen services by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development of smart applications.
The initiative, launched in collaboration with IndusInd Bank and PeLocal Fintech Private Limited, introduces a WhatsApp Chatbot Application to simplify access to municipal services for city residents.
The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Mayor Sulochana Das and BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, along with other dignitaries and stakeholders.
The WhatsApp Chatbot Application will serve as a dedicated digital platform for residents to conveniently access and manage services such as:
- Payment of property taxes and trade licenses.
- Collection of user fees for services like birth and death certificates.
- Lodging and resolving grievances.
Mayor Sulochana Das emphasized the importance of smart solutions in fostering better community participation, stating, “BMC is committed to providing better facilities for citizens through innovative technology.”
In addition to the chatbot, BMC, in partnership with IndusInd Bank and Emertech RND Solutions Private Limited, has developed a Market and Vending Zone Rental Collection Application. This app aims to streamline the process of collecting rentals from markets and vending zones, enhancing efficiency and transparency in municipal operations.
BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil highlighted the user-friendly nature of these initiatives, noting, “Applications like WhatsApp, which are familiar to citizens, can engage people meaningfully and address their requirements efficiently. These projects represent a community-driven approach to solving public issues.”
The event also saw participation from Additional Commissioners Suvendu Kumar Sahu and Ratnakar Sahoo, IndusInd Bank representatives, including State Head Arup Mohapatra, Regional Head Prasant Goud, and State Technical Head Subhasish Sahoo, as well as Santosh Reddy from Emertech RND Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Ajay Kumar Mohanty, Deputy Commissioner of Revenue for BMC, coordinated the MoU process. The event was attended by corporators, BMC officials, and representatives from the partnering organizations.
