In a move to provide an access channel for UT Administration to reach citizens (G2C) and give a boost to e-governance, myChandigarh mobile application was launched on Thursday.
The new app is a gateway to the hub of smart mobile applications i.e City Bus Guide & e-payment mobile app which were also launched and integrated in myChandigarh app along with already running mSampark, RlA & e-campus mobile apps.
The citizens can now access all smart 5 mobile apps by downloading myChandigarh app on their android base mobile phones. The applications are android based with new user interface for better visibility and support for all android versions and screen sizes with material design compatibility.
The application has been developed on android platform keeping in mind the large share of Android smart phone market, availability of low cost android based smart phones which will make accessibility of public services better.
The City Bus Guide has been developed for Chandigarh Transport Undertaking (CTU) buses as an interactive mobile application which will act as pocket guide to provide information related to CTU buses routes, stops and timings on the finger tips of the daily bus commuters. City Bus Guide app will let search for available buses between any two bus stops, by just choosing the starting point and destination point.
The app will also provide real-time transit information — such as the location of the closest bus stop with the soonest-arriving bus, or the low-down on various routes to get you to your destination faster.
On the other hand, e-payment app has been developed to make online payment of electricity & water bills on the move from mobile phone. e-Payment mobile app can only be accessed through myChandigarh app, citizens have to first download mychandigarh app from android play store on their mobile and then can easily access e-payment app in mychandigarh app with single tap on e-payment icon on the mobile screen.
Citizens will be charged Rs 10/ per transaction amount on internet banking, 0.75% would be charged upto to Rs2000 and 1% above Rs2000 on debit card payments and 1% of transaction amount on credit card. Apart from this 14% service tax will be charged on every transaction.
Vijay Dev, Adviser to UT Administrator who launched the mobile apps, said that myChandigarh , City Bus Guide and e-payment mobile apps are developed in-house by Society for Promotion of IT( SPIC), under aegis of UT Department of IT. Currently the myChandigarh app can be downloaded from Google Play store and in which you get links to download city bus guide, e-payment and other apps.
The high rate of mobile phone penetration opens a new channel for governments to reach their citizens fast and provide timely information to them and as the infrastructure is not a big issue it seems to be very economical and effective medium to provide services to the public, he added.
Prince Dhawan, Director, UT Information Technology said that myChandigarh app will enhance the value of Government services and services it will offer through city bus guide, e-payment , e-campus apps are catalyst in achieving the ultimate goal of connected governance.