The Voice of Citizens Echoes Across 14 Wards, Record 195 Grievances Registered

The Voice of Citizens Echoes Across 14 Wards, Record 195 Grievances Registered

Bhagalpur: With the objective of bridging the gap between common citizens and the municipal administration, the Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation launched a special initiative on the first Tuesday of this month. A 'Sahyog Shivir' (Assistance Camp) was organized simultaneously across 14 different wards of the city. The purpose of this unique event was not just to provide quick solutions to problems, but to bring governance directly to the doorsteps of the people. In this mega-campaign led by Mayor Dr. Basundhara Lal, not only were a large number of applications received, but by uploading them onto the online portal by midnight of the same day, the administration set a new benchmark for work culture.

14 Wards, One Goal: Rapid Resolution of Issues

The main focus of these municipal camps was on areas where complaints regarding development works had been persistent. Long queues were seen from the morning at these camps set up in 14 wards. Local residents arrived with their grievances, ranging from water supply issues and non-functional streetlights to drain cleaning and pending birth/death certificate cases.

Mayor Dr. Basundhara Lal herself visited several wards and listened to the public's grievances. During this, she issued strict instructions to the officials that after receiving applications, they should not just be kept in files, but their resolution must be ensured within a set time frame.

Technology and Transparency: Work Continued Through the Night

The greatest success of this camp was its operational efficiency. The number of applications received throughout the day reached 195. Typically, it takes weeks in the government system to enter such applications, but this time, the municipal administration set a precedent. Under the Mayor's supervision, the IT cell team worked through the night to upload all 195 applications onto the online portal.

The biggest benefit of this rapid process is that every applicant will now receive a 'Tracking ID,' allowing them to check the status of their work themselves. This step is being viewed as a significant move toward promoting transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Municipal Corporation.

The Mayor’s Vision: 'Corporation at Your Doorstep'

While speaking to reporters, Mayor Dr. Basundhara Lal stated, "Our objective is not just to listen to problems but to resolve them. Through the 'Sahyog Shivir,' we want to reach every citizen of the city. Until the problem of the last person in our ward is solved, these efforts of the corporation will continue."

Municipal officials say that the data from these camps now serves as a 'roadmap' for them. It will help them understand which wards in the city require the most resources and where infrastructure needs to be strengthened.

Classification of Issues and Resolution Strategy

The 195 applications received have been categorized:

Water Supply and Sanitation: The highest number of applications were received in these two categories. Old pipelines and faulty boring machines in many wards emerged as a major challenge.

Streetlights and Electricity: Given the problem of darkness in many lanes, the concerned department has been directed to conduct an immediate survey.

Certificates and Records: Applications for corrections in birth/death certificates and other government documents have been sent to the respective branches on a priority basis.

Enthusiasm Among the Public and Future Hopes

This event held across the city's wards has instilled a positive sense of trust among the people. A local resident of Ward No. 9 said, "Earlier, we had to make rounds of the municipal office even for minor tasks, but today the officials have come to us themselves. This is a huge change."

However, the challenge now lies in solving these problems on time. Citizens are also keeping a close watch on how strictly the promises made at the camp are followed.

Through the experience of this camp, the municipal administration has learned that if work is done at the field level, the number and nature of complaints can be accurately assessed. The Municipal Corporation is now planning to organize such camps at regular intervals. In the coming time, this model of 'Public-Assistance' could become a guide for other municipalities as well.

This 'Sahyog Shivir' of the Bhagalpur Municipal Corporation is not just an administrative event but a major step toward good governance. The manner in which the Mayor and the officials listened to the people's problems and worked through the night to register them into the system is a testament to administrative proactivity. If this momentum is maintained, it won't take long for the face of Bhagalpur to change.