The Municipal Corporation (MC) of Ludhiana has introduced a 24x7 monsoon helpline number and a WhatsApp chatbot to enable residents to report grievances during the rainy season, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative according to officials. The helpline number is 9086791867.
Launch of Helpline and Chatbot
Mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar launched the helpline and chatbot at the MC’s Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar on Thursday. They stated that the initiative aims to ensure prompt resolution of public grievances during the monsoon period. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at the Zone D office has been converted into a “Monsoon War Room,” which monitors the city through 1700 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
From the war room, staff will list grievances submitted by residents and forward them to the concerned officials and rapid action teams for swift resolution. The initiative provides citizens with a single platform to report monsoon-related issues, including waterlogging, blocked sewer lines, damaged roads, uprooted or damaged trees, and non-functioning street lights.
How the WhatsApp Chatbot Works
Residents can submit complaints via the WhatsApp chatbot by sending a message to the same helpline number. The chatbot automatically replies and guides users in submitting their complaints with simple details such as the issue, address, and ward number, and allows them to attach a photo of the grievance. Upon submission, the chatbot provides a complaint ID and the contact number of the civic body official to whom the complaint has been assigned. Rapid action teams have been deputed at the zonal level to resolve grievances.
Officials noted that Local Bodies Minister Harjot Singh Bains recently inspected the Monsoon War Room and reassured residents of the civic body’s commitment to public service. The technology-driven system is expected to facilitate better coordination and reduce response time during heavy rainfall. Live monitoring will help identify vulnerable locations and ensure field staff are dispatched without delay.
Senior officials urged residents to utilize the helpline and chatbot to report issues, assuring that a proper record will be maintained and complaints will be monitored and addressed on priority. They stated that all necessary preparations have been made in advance, and the Mayor and MC chief are regularly monitoring the ground situation.
