Vuda to start more services

Visakhapatnam: The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda) will introduce several online services on its website in the coming few days. The website has been modified by an IT consultant to make it more interactive, user-friendly and informative. “All venues falling under Vuda can be booked online from next week. The rental payments, tenders and procurement bids can be made online. Applications related to building and layout plans shall be approved online only,” Vuda vice-chairman P. Basanth Kumar said.

“The software is under maintenance for the conversion of the GST to rental payment option. The website will be ready for public as soon as each department completes checking its functionality. We are also trying to have the server space from National Informatics Centre (NIC) for more security and better access,” he added.

Currently, the website offers only two services - the status of applications under Layout Regulari-sation Scheme (LRS) and details of allotment of commercial complexes. The new version of the website will provide geo-tagging details, layout info, visitor info and important contacts of all departments in Vuda. Andhra University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nageshwara Rao, who is the IT consultant for the website, said the Vuda has negotiated with Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) to waive user charges to IOB customers and levy a nominal charge on other bank transactions.

The bank that has tied up with a third party payment gateway service provider FSSNeT had been working on this. With the latest services, the vice-chairman and other Vuda officials can monitor grievances and suggestions received from the public. They can know how many times a visitor came to the office, for what purpose and to meet which official. Also, customers can track the status of their complaints.

The new Vuda web portal would have the digitised board resolutions. It would contain the list of over 1,600 approved layouts with maps. Also, it lists out the black-listed developers in the city. These features would definitely help the property buyers in the district, Prof. Nageshwara Rao said.