The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is set to bring a significant digital transformation to citizen services. In a major push to improve accessibility and governance, the civic body will introduce an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot on its official portal. This tool is designed to help residents report issues, seek information, and navigate government procedures without the need for physical visits to offices.
A Multilingual Digital Assistant for Every Citizen
Understanding Hyderabad's diverse linguistic landscape, the AI chatbot will operate in four languages: Telugu, Hindi, Urdu, and English. This inclusive approach aims to bridge the digital divide and cater to citizens across different literacy levels. The platform will support both text and voice-based queries, allowing users to interact through simple voice commands or typed messages.
The chatbot's scope covers a wide spectrum of GHMC services. Citizens can use it for matters related to sanitation, urban planning, property tax payments, building permissions, and birth or death registrations. A senior official from the GHMC IT wing stated that the initiative is part of a broader digital governance strategy following the expansion of the civic body's limits.
Step-by-Step Guidance and Intelligent Form Assistance
A key feature of this AI tool is its ability to guide users through the entire grievance redressal process. It will provide step-by-step assistance, significantly reducing dependency on in-person visits and long wait times. Furthermore, the chatbot will include an intelligent form-assistance system.
This system is engineered to help residents accurately fill out complex application forms for various services. By auto-guiding users through multi-step government procedures, it minimizes errors and simplifies interactions with civic authorities. The tool is built with a special emphasis on accessibility, aiming to support senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those unfamiliar with digital platforms.
Implementation and Future Vision
To implement this project, GHMC has invited bids from managed service providers. The selected vendor will be responsible for the implementation, operation, and maintenance of the AI-based chatbot and automated form-filling solution for a period of two years. The chatbot will be directly hosted and integrated into the GHMC website, transforming it into a unified digital hub for both officials and the public.
The official added that the interface will be responsive, adapting seamlessly to desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. With voice input support specifically for Telugu and Urdu, users can submit queries verbally and receive spoken summaries in their chosen language. This move is seen as setting new benchmarks for urban governance in India, enhancing public interaction through advanced, accessible technology.
