GIS to make BCC work transparent

GIS to make BCC work transparent
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to be implemented in Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) is not just a hi-tech tool; it might even curb corruption by virtue of its innate transparency. Many Indian cities have been trying this technology on a pilot basis, but nowhere has it been fully implemented.

Viewed as the best way to streamline municipal administration, GIS in BCC goes well with the city’s high-tech image. S. Ramani, IT Advisor to BCC said GIS is a method of managing data spatially using the city’s map. All information like roads, traffic, property records, pollution, water supply, bus routes, drainage and even meteorological details can be viewed at the click of the mouse.

Citizens could browse the city map. Point at any property and click. They will be able to view the property records in terms of ownership, tax paid, whether it is commercial or residential and other details.

The map is a mirror image of the actual work done on roads and helps prevent fraud, especially by contractors. The technical details of works allotted to various contractors and what they are expected to accomplish will also be available to the public.

The major problem in BCC is the deficit in property tax collection. If your next-door neighbour has not paid the tax, it will show up and you can bring it to the BCC’s notice. Such citizen activism would enhance tax collection efficiency.

Further, the BCC engineering department, famous for its high levels of corruption would be forced to check the quality of works and deadlines as per specifications and any deviation will be visible to the public.

GIS has been implemented on Ward 64 - Veerappana Palya. Seven more wards will be included soon. In the second phase, another 14 wards will be covered. By July 2005 all 100 wards will be on GIS. Presently, all departments are being asked to make available their database for GIS.

The project is estimated to cost Rs. two crore and will be implemented with vital inputs from National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad and ISRO. When it is implemented, Bangalore will be the only Indian city to use GIS.

However, it will be first tried as an internal administrative tool before throwing it open online for the public, Ramani said.