Geo-tagging a photo, video or even a product is a common practice. But Andhra Pradesh plans to go ahead and geo-tag people, precisely families for smooth delivery of government services. This was announced by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who said that every government service in the state will be available online by August 15 this year. The initiatives aim to do away with the need for citizens to visit government offices for any service, in what could signal a first in the country.
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Speaking at a FICCI event held in Vijayawada, Naidu said that 503 services were already online, with access now available via platforms such as WhatsApp. He made a strong pitch for a full digital administration. The state will also launch voice-activated services for state transport which will allow people to book buses and access information by calling a number.
The state is moving towards integrating Aadhaar authentication with geotagging. Naidu explained that every household would be linked to a geo-mapped family unit which would make it easier to deliver services like essential medicines directly to a citizen’s doorstep. The initiative is designed to work during emergencies like cyclones, floods and other natural disasters.
In line with its digital drive, Andhra Pradesh is building a real-time data infrastructure monitoring over 40 environmental and agricultural parameters including temperature, humidity and air quality to reservoir water levels and soil data. This network will enable early warning alerts for cyclones, cloudbursts, and other natural hazards and preparing the state for any eventualities. The CM also unveiled ambitious infrastructure plans which would include 20 ports for every 50 km along the state’s 1,000 km coastline, 14–15 airports within an hour’s reach and doubling the tracks of the Chennai-Kolkata railway line. He said that the goal was to transform the state into a trillion dollar economy by 2047.
