Pune Municipal Corporation launches Open Data portal with free real-time data access

This would help citizens get multiple services, he said, adding, “The services might be free or paid depending on the service provider. The civic body would not have any control over the users as it’s not possible to keep a check on open market. It will lead to competition among service providers to provide best of the services to citizens and it would be up to citizens to decide whether to avail the facility and whether its free or paid.”

The PMC has already appointed a Data officer for each civic department to update real-time data. “This would also keep the civic staff on their toes to provide updated data,” he said.

Civic activist Vivek Velankar said that the civic body initiative sounds good but its a challenge for the civic body to provide real-time data.

“The PMC credibility would be at stake as the data would be open to all and there should not be any mistake in it. We don’t know if the civic staff is capable of that as they have failed to update the data on their official website and its have been only during in few months,” he said.

Velankar said that it was clear that it would be mostly used by businessman as common citizens are not much concerned as long as he or she is getting the basic services that the civic body has to provide.

The PMC would also be launching the new improved PuneConnect mobile App that would enable access to more than 40 civic services along with keeping a track of various services available, follow up on any application made to PMC and carry out online payment of fees and taxes to civic body.

There will be an Officer Connect App empowering PMC staff to track and service grievances better, road ambulance App to assist in quicker road repairs and a new improved PMC portal would come up along with an AppStore that will host mobile applications developed by PMC and Pune citizens or entrepreneurs aimed at Punekars and PMC employees. The portal would be available in 76 languages.