Smart Governance and Smart Cities are the future in providing public services in the most efficient ways possible.
Though Vijayawada did not make it to the list of Smart Cities announced by the Centre, the Commissioner of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation is going all out to reach out to citizens and provide services effectively. In a smart move, Commissioner G. Veerapandian is not just making efforts to solve public grievances reported at the corporation’s grievance cell but also responding to those being reported on his personal account on Twitter.
A few days ago one Twitter user, Imran Liyakhath A.K. in a tweet reported to the Commissioner’s Twitter handle (@veerapandiang) that his scrap metal art work installed at the VMC’s vehicle depot in the city was in a bad state covered up with fallen branches of trees. “Sorry. We will protect it (sic),” responded Mr. Veerapandian a couple of days later.
And he was quick to direct the officials concerned to keep the artworks clean and protected.
When The Hindu visited the vehicle depot to check the condition of the artworks following the tweet conversation they were found clean and fresh.
When asked if the exhibits were freshened after the tweet by one of the artists, Mr. Veerapandian said, “It is my personal Twitter handle through which I responded and conveyed the same to my staff about need for keeping the artworks protected.”
Mr. Veerapandian is also questioned over developmental works and civic problems on Twitter. When a user Satyavolu Pavan asked if the much hyped Kankadurga Flyover would be completed for Krishna Pushkaralu, Mr. Veerapandian responding saying, “No. Only pillars will be launched for Pushkaram. After Pushkaram, deck slabs will be done (sic).” Also complaints over 24 hour liquor shops, malfunctioning of LED street blubs, lack of night shelters and others have been made.
