Creating an interactive technology platform on key civic issues, a portalwww.onevizag.orgwas launched and an MoU signed between Kirlampudi Residents Welfare Association and Cityzen, the CSR arm of Phoenix IT Solutions Ltd.
The MoU was signed by KRWA president D V Somayajulu and Vani Gannamani, Director of the company, in the presence of MP K Haribabu, Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao, VPT Chairman T. Krishna Babu and GVMC Commissioner Pravin Kumar.
The pilot project, an initiative under Let’s Get Smart Kirlampudi, will be implemented over a period of 25 weeks, according to G S Muralikrishna, Phoenix CEO.
The effort to create a model smart community comes in the wake of declaring that Vizag will be developed into a Smart City with US collaboration. The portal will help residents of the posh Kirlampudi layout post an issue, debate and vote on it. GVMC officials will have access to it so as to acknowledge the problem.
The five issues to be taken up are cleanliness, greening, health, safety and digital Vizag (through the portal and web app). Cityzen has contributed Rs.2 lakh to KRWA to get litter bins, rain water pits etc but, more importantly for technology support, consultation and programme management.
A number of residents spoke on the problems faced by the layout mainly about roads, drains, the menace of stray cattle, dogs, dumping debris etc. Views expressed swung diametrically with some making a forceful plea for strict enforcement of regulations a la Singapore and some advocating voluntary action for improving the state of affairs. Residents chipped in with their own contributions.
Sudarshana Swamy contributed Rs.1 lakh on condition that half of it be spent on solar lights. Hakim Mehdi contributed Rs.50,000.
Uday Sarname of KRWA spoke on the efforts so far made for improving amenities and addressing problems.
Five issues to be taken up are cleanliness, greening, health, safety and digital Vizag
