Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards digital governance, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday launched a WhatsApp chatbot for the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), aimed at making civic services more accessible and convenient for residents.
The launch coincided with the state-wide celebration of Local Self-Governance Day.
The new chatbot offers over 20 essential services through a dedicated WhatsApp number, allowing citizens to access services such as Property Tax payments, Trade License applications, and Sanitation requests from the comfort of their homes.
Users simply need to send a “Hi” message to ‘7653011832’ to begin interacting with the bot, which supports communication in English, Odia, and Hindi.
Besides basic services, the chatbot features an AI-powered “Chat with Us” function, where residents can inquire about ward details, BMC officials, and other relevant information. This initiative aims to reduce physical visits to BMC offices, thereby saving time and enhancing service efficiency.
According to the BMC’s official social media post on platform X, the chatbot leverages advanced Conversational AI technology to integrate multiple services under one unified platform, making it easier for citizens to navigate municipal services.
“Our journey to simplify systems and processes to enhance the citizen experience will continue for a smarter Bhubaneswar,” the post read.
The launch of the WhatsApp chatbot marks a significant stride in Bhubaneswar’s efforts to embrace technology and foster transparency and ease of access in local governance.
