GPS device to check ‘inflated’ fuel bills

EMC team to study GPS monitoring adopted by Kurnool, Nellore civic bodies

In an attempt to check misuse of funds incurred on fuel for the vehicles engaged for maintenance of sanitation, drinking water supply and other services in the city, the Eluru Municipal Corporation (EMC) has decided to use global positioning system (GPS) to track the movement of the vehicles.

Case study

A resolution was adopted to this effect at the council meeting of the EMC recently. The EMC will send a team of officials for a study on the application of GPS technologies in Nellore and Kurnool Municipal Corporations.

A vigilance inquiry conducted a few years ago estimated that the misuse of fuel bills in the EMC was around Rs 5 lakh per month for want of effective monitoring on the movement of vehicles.

“Now, we can do it by sitting in our office with the help of the GPS instruments linked to Google,” Satyanarayana, EMC Deputy Executive Engineer said, adding that the metre reading of vehicles, fuel consumption and the distance covered could be recorded on a daily basis.

“Use of GPS technology is expected to help EMC save at least Rs. 1 lakh per month on fuel bills,” he pointed out.

At present, more than 30 vehicles are engaged for collection of garbage from different locations in the city and dumping of the same at a site near Ponangi on the city outskirts.

Complaints galore

Complaints were pouring in that the vehicle crews were resorting to misuse of funds by making fraudulent claims on fuel bills, Mr. Satyanarayana said, adding that the municipal corporation would hire GPS instruments from private agencies.