'App to address grievances during monsoon in Udupi'

An app will be launched to address public grievances during monsoon in Udupi City Municipal Council (CMC) limits, Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said.

The deputy commissioner told reporters here on Saturday that the app was being launched on a pilot basis. The app covering the entire district will be released next year. The citizens in Udupi can download ‘Udupi Help’ from Playstore and post any grievances related to the monsoon. “The app will be activated within a day or two,” she added.

The district administration took a decision on launching an app for monsoon after the huge success of cVigil app launched during the elections. Udupi district stood first in handling the cases registered on the cVigil app.

Of the total 273 cases, 225 cases were found to be genuine and 48 were found to be fake. Of the total 225, 211 cases had been disposed off within 100 minutes of registering the complaint, Korlapati said.

A team from National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) will be visiting the district next week. The team, based in Udupi, will respond to emergencies during the monsoon in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, she said.

On the success of the Udupi-Chikmagalur Lok Sabha poll, Korlapati said Udupi was the only district in the State which witnessed polling in both the phases--April 18 and 23. Thus all preparations, including security, had to be done in two phases. The accuracy in postal ballots (Electronically Transferred Postal Ballot System) was ensured by scanning of the ballots. She added that entire election process also witnessed eco-friendly measures.

The deputy commissioner maintained that the water shortage problem was being managed and the desilting works would be initiated in Baje dam. The water rationing will continue until the water problem is solved.

On resuming the sand extraction activities, the DC said the ban on allowing fish breeding extended from June 1 to July 31. The schools in the district will reopen as per the schedule, announced by the government. A request was submitted to the PU Board to postpone the reopening of PU classes in the district which is reeling under acute water crisis, she said.