Tamil Nadu Complaints app garners good response across state

The app, where users can post their problems, was developed and launched by the All India Students Welfare Association (AISWA). The issues would be looked into and resolved by the members themselves. 

“Over 5,000 people have downloaded our app on android phones and 1,900 are actively using it. The TN Complaints has a Facebook page where there are 1.5 lakh views,” says Senthil Kumar, founder and president of AISWA. 

“We will provide one more update next week and more people would download the app. We have been addressing several problems in the State. Our team of volunteers are focusing particularly on removing Karuvelam trees to save ground water. Teams have been working in Porur, Ekkaduthangal, Kundrathur, Anakapathur, Velachery, Karaikudi, Pudukottai and Ramanathapuram,” he said. 

Now, the AISWA is planning on acquiring an earthmover worth Rs 11 lakh for removing the trees. 

“It will be useful for us as most of the complaints are related to civic issues such as clearing clogged drainages or sewers or clearing garbage from a road. These issues should have been done by the Corporation officials. The users have posted pictures with description about issues from untarred roads, auto-mobile waste dumped on the road side to waste dumped in an open space near a government school,” Senthil Kumar said. 

Explaining the modus operandi of the app, Senthil said that users could post pictures, write complaints on which others can respond by hitting the ‘Like’ button or comment on it. 

First, the volunteers call back and verify the complaint. Then a local team is sent to check on its genuineness. “If it is something that can be sorted out by us, we will do it. However, in case of major problems such as potholed roads, water crisis or electricity problem or something on a large scale, we send a request to the government officials concerned,” he said an added that 

“If there is no response, the AISWA will put pressure on the officials or else stage a protest.”