Dr Jayamala launches ‘Udupi Help’ app to deal with monsoon complaints

Udupi: `Udupi Help; an app to address public grievances during monsoon was launched at the deputy commissioner’s office by the district in-charge minister Dr Jayamala on Tuesday, June 11. The app may be downloaded from Google Play store and installed on android smart phones.

The app facilitates the submission of all monsoon related grievances through online platform. The user may submit complaints regarding uprooted electricity poles, floods, damage to houses during lightning, overflowing manholes, landslide, mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water and other issues.

Once the app is downloaded, it will guide the user to select the preferred language. The user’ mobile number needs to be registered after accepting the terms and conditions. The registration is confirmed through an OTP and the GPS in the smart phone will identify the location. The users also need to submit details regarding name, landmark and gender.

A dedicated grievance button on the app opens a new page through which the complaints maybe submitted along with videos and photos. On registration of the complaint, the user will receive a complaint identity.

The submitted complaint will reach the IT division of the City Municipal Council and the natural calamity authority of the DC office. The IT engineers will also forward the complaints to the nodal officers appointed at different wards. Soon, a team of officials will reach the place mentioned in the complaint following the GPS.

Udupi CMC has 35 wards within its limits which have been divided into three divisions and a nodal officer has been appointed per division to redress the grievances. Separate teams have been formed made of members drawn from Mescom, Forest Department and the CMC.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said, “Our target is to solve any problem within six hours,” and added that that the app was developed on the lines of the C-Vigil app of the Election Commission of India. User of the app can also interact with the staff of the Udupi Municipality.

“The app usage is restricted to the Udupi City Municipal Council wards for now. However, there are plans to extend it to the entire district in the future. The status of the complaint can also be seen in the app,” informed the DC.