Lucknow Municipal Corporation's complaint cell a partial success

LUCKNOW: Lucknow Municipal Corporation launched a complaint centre in Gomtinagar recently and though it has received a big response, residents are not too happy. The solace comes in that people's complaints are at least being heard.
LMC has a deadline for resolving civic woes and conducts daily review of problems addressed. LMC claims to have received 1,500 complaints and that it has redressed about 50% of them.Residents, on the other hand, complained officials turn up only to give temporary relief and never follow up. Shanu Rathore from Mehndi Tola, Aliganj said, "The good thing is my complaint about clogged drains of my colony was heard immediately. Workers removed the waste, but left it on the sides of the drains. Vehicles and rains swept the silt back into the drains." Another resident Anand Mishra of Sector B, Aliganj said only 30% silt was removed from drains.
People from various localities complained about encroachments. CV Mishra from Janakipuram says, "After my complaint, encroachments were removed but shortly, they reappeared. When I asked officials to clear it again, they said they would clean it only in the next drive."
Officials said the problem can't be solved in a week. "We have to issue notices before taking legal action. Besides, it is the local administration's call," they said.
On the flip side, the centre has encouraged many residents to come forward to file complaints without having to plead to the babus. Some residents praised the street lighting department for quick response to complaints about lights out of order.
The control room is addressing problems ranging from cleanliness, cattle catching, repair, encroachments, parking, shelter homes, house-tax, rent, street lighting, drinking water, sewerage work, roads, drains, waste disposal, etc. Municipal commissioner, R K Singh said, "Earlier, residents rarely complained about micro issues in their wards. But now, they are registering such complaints."
Residents, however, said most of their complaints aren't addressed timely. Kalyani from Vikasnagar sector-5 said she complained on January 5 about garbage being dumped on roads and drains in front of her house, but there was no response. O P Shukla from Janakipuram sector-J had lodged similar complaint on January 6 but it remained unheard. Some residents said the online portal to register complaints was lax with the server down most of the time. BSNL helplines and mobile number for registering complaint are mostly engaged or hung up for long hours.
One can file complaint via internet on or or call 0522-2307770 or 9415607789 to register complaints.
LMC also plans to invite comments and feedback of complainants. Singh added that soon, the centre would have an Airtel server too along with BSNL and would run three more helpline numbers-2 of BSNL and one of Vodafone for speedy action.
The authorities are keeping an eye on the number of complaints pouring in and are regularly sending alerts to concerned departments to solve the complaints quickly. The officials have been instructed to resolve problems within deadline or else provide valid reason for the delay.