In a significant step toward transforming Patna into a digital city, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has introduced major enhancements to the Ward Finder feature on its official mobile application. This upgrade is designed to improve accessibility to civic services and empower residents to resolve issues from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to visit municipal offices.
Key Features of the Updated Ward Finder
With the latest update, citizens can simply tap on 'Find Your Ward' within the app to instantly access detailed information about all ward-level officials. This includes the ward councillor, executive officer, city manager, executive engineer, assistant engineer, chief sanitary inspector (CSI), and sanitary inspector (SI), along with their respective contact numbers. The initiative aims to provide residents with direct lines of communication to the concerned authorities, enabling them to lodge complaints and seek assistance without any bureaucratic hurdles.
Integration of WhatsApp Chatbot
A PMC official revealed that the app now seamlessly integrates a WhatsApp chatbot service. “When users tap on property tax queries or general complaints, they are redirected to WhatsApp, where they can submit grievances, ask questions, or track requests in real time,” the official said. This integration is expected to streamline the complaint resolution process and enhance user convenience.
Interactive Ward Map
Another notable addition is the interactive 'Patna Municipal Corporation Ward Map' feature. After selecting a specific ward number, users can view its geographic spread with boundaries clearly marked in red. The map offers options to zoom in, zoom out, and reset the view for better navigation. However, officials noted that the map is still under refinement, and more detailed location data will be incorporated in future updates.
Broader Digitization Efforts
The PMC plans to launch the fully upgraded app after final testing. Once operational, it will serve as a comprehensive digital directory of the city's civic infrastructure. Residents will be able to access digital records of roads, drains, pipelines, parks, public toilets, cremation grounds, parking spaces, and other municipal assets. Additionally, the app will help users locate the nearest toilet, parking area, PMC office, or cremation ground within any ward.
A senior PMC official emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader effort to digitize civic governance. “The focus is on transparency and convenience. If people know who to contact and where to access services, issues can be resolved faster,” the official said. The update is expected to significantly reduce response times and minimize the need for physical visits to municipal offices, marking a major leap toward the vision of Digital Patna.
